Irani Cup: Mukesh Choudhary’s five-for keeps Rest of India in contention

Mukesh Choudhary claimed 5/78 for Rest of India in the Irani Cup match here on Friday, helping the visitors remain in the contest on day two. His bowling effort was central to restricting Jammu and Kashmir and setting up a competitive second-innings position for Rest of India.

Rest of India had been dismissed for 237 on the first day, and Jammu and Kashmir were eventually all out for 278 after resuming with two wickets down in seven overs before stumps on day one. The home side’s total owed much to contributions from Paras Dogra (75), Abdul Samad (57) and a late surge by Lone Nasir Muzaffar (64 at No. 9), in a match described as dominated by fast bowlers.

Choudhary struck early in J&K’s innings, uprooting Shubham Khajuria when a sharp in-swinger clipped the inside edge and hit the stumps. He then removed Qamran Iqbal with a short delivery that touched the batter’s glove and was pouched by captain Rishabh Pant; Iqbal’s DRS review showed a large spike at the point of contact between his right-hand glove and the ball, leaving J&K 37/4.

Kanhaiya Wadhawan (12) was Choudhary’s next scalp, edging to first slip, before Paras Dogra and Abdul Samad combined for a 101-run fifth-wicket stand that steadied the innings. Dogra made 75 off 143 balls with six fours and a six, while Samad scored 57 off 88 with five fours and one six; Mukesh Kumar ended their partnership when Samad was caught by Sanat Sangwan.

Jammu and Kashmir slipped to 166 for eight after Abid Mushtaq (0) fell to Mukesh Choudhary and Sahil Lotra (2) was caught off Akash Deep, who finished with 3/43. Lone Nasir Muzaffar then produced a rapid 64 off 58 deliveries, striking eight fours and three sixes and adding 64 for the ninth wicket with Dogra and a further 48 with Sunil Kumar for the tenth.

Sunil Kumar accounted for Shikhar Mohan when Rest of India began their second innings; RoI closed day two at 24 for one in 15 overs. Brief Scores: Rest of India 237 & 24/1 in 15 overs (Sanat Sangwan 10 not out, Sudip Kumar Gharami 10 not out; Sunil Kumar 1/9) trail Jammu and Kashmir 278 in 64.2 overs (Paras Dogra 75, Abdul Samad 57, Lone Nasir Muzaffar 64; Mukesh Choudhary 5/78, Akash Deep 3/43) by 17 runs.