Ranji Match: Batting setbacks, Tripura face pressure on opening day against Jammu and Kashmir
Tripura struggled with a lacklustre batting performance, putting them under considerable pressure on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir at the Hostel Ground in Jammu on Wednesday. If not for the steady innings by captain Mandeep Singh, Tripura’s score could have taken a serious hit, bordering on an embarrassing start to their season. Mandeep’s resilient 67-run knock was the only bright spot in a challenging day for the team, which ended with them all out for 165 runs in 50.3 overs.
Jammu and Kashmir, replying to Tripura’s score, finished the first day at 82 for 3 wickets in 29 overs, with opener Shubham Khajuria anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 46 off 94 balls, decorated with seven boundaries.
After losing the toss, Tripura was put to bat first by Jammu and Kashmir’s captain, Parash Dogra. The early decision to bowl paid off handsomely for the hosts as Tripura’s top order crumbled under pressure, losing three key batsmen—Bikram Kumar Das, Jiwanjot Singh, and Sreeram Pal—within just 20 runs. This poor start left Tripura struggling to stabilize the innings.
Captain Mandeep Singh and Tejashwi Jaishwal attempted to revive Tripura’s standing by forming a much-needed partnership, though Jaishwal’s aggressive 33-run knock from 36 balls came to an untimely end after he seemed set. Wicketkeeper Sharath and batsman Bikram Debnath offered little resistance, adding only 5 and 11 runs, respectively, to the scoreboard.
In a momentary show of resilience, Manishankar Murasingh partnered with Mandeep to add 42 runs, with Murasingh scoring a valuable 25 off 43 balls. Mandeep’s composed innings of 67 off 122 balls (with seven boundaries) was the highlight for Tripura, marking his fourth consecutive fifty.
But despite his efforts, the team’s innings wrapped up at a modest 165, with Jammu and Kashmir bowlers Aakib Nabi and Rashikh Salam making inroads, taking six and three wickets respectively.
Jammu and Kashmir’s innings began with a counter-attack from Tripura’s bowlers, and they managed to pick up three quick wickets. However, Shubham Khajuria stood firm, crafting a patient innings that kept Jammu and Kashmir in control by the end of the day. His steady 46-run knock included seven well-timed boundaries. Vibhrant Sharma and Abdul Samad contributed with scores of 16 and 15, respectively, helping the hosts close the day at 82 for 3.
For Tripura, bowlers Rana Dutta, Abhijit Sarkar, and Manishankar Murasingh each claimed a wicket. With Jammu and Kashmir trailing by only 83 runs, Tripura’s bowlers will need a strong showing on Thursday to keep their team’s hopes alive and prevent an early season loss.
(Tripura, Northeast)
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