Kolkata, Feb 14: First-time semifinalists Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand will look to extend their dream runs when they take on heavyweights Bengal and Karnataka respectively in the Ranji Trophy semifinals beginning on Sunday.
Jammu and Kashmir scripted history by reaching their maiden semifinal with a 56-run win over Madhya Pradesh in Indore, marking their deepest run in the competition since their debut in 1959-60.
Seamer Auqib Nabi was the architect of that victory, returning match figures of 12 for 110. Nabi has been among the leading wicket-takers this season with 46 scalps, spearheading a disciplined attack, while left-arm seamer Sunil Kumar has provided solid support with 22 wickets.With the bat, Abdul Samad has led the charge with 543 runs, while veteran skipper Paras Dogra has contributed 484, anchoring the innings in pressure situations.They now face a formidable Bengal side boasting depth in both departments.Sudip Kumar Gharami’s monumental 299 in the quarterfinal powered Bengal to an innings-and-90-run victory over Andhra in Kalyani, highlighting the solidity of their top order. Gharami has amassed 651 runs this season, while Sumanta Gupta (506), Anustup Majumdar (367) and Abhimanyu Easwaran (373) have added stability.
Bengal’s bowling unit has been equally effective. While Shahbaz Ahmed leads the wicket charts for his side with 39 scalps, Bengal have an Indian pace line-up, led by Mohammed Shami (28) and Akash Deep (19) and Mukesh Kumar, who took five wickets in the quarterfinals. SS Jaiswal has chipped in with 20 wickets.Bengal will enjoy the home advantage as the contest will be played at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani.In the other semifinal to be played at Lucknow’s Ekana Cricket Stadium, Uttarakhand will face the eight-time champions Karnataka after continuing their rapid ascent in domestic cricket.Uttarakhand booked their place in the last four with an innings-and-six-run win over Jharkhand in Jamshedpur, while Karnataka notched up a four-wicket win over Mumbai, the behemoths of Indian domestic cricket who have secured a record 42 titles. (PTI)
