Srinagar, Oct 3: Ravichandran Smaran produced a breathtaking counter-attacking century to thwart Jammu and Kashmir’s spirited bowling fightback and put Rest of India in a commanding position on the third day of the Irani Cup at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium here on Saturday.
Resuming their second innings at 24 for one, Rest of India negotiated the opening session with relative stability before J&K struck hard after lunch, removing a string of middle-order batters in quick succession.
J&K bowlers, led by Umar Nazir and Sahil Lotra, ripped through the Rest of India middle order, with star batter Sarfaraz Khan dismissed for a duck and captain Rishabh Pant falling for eight.
At that stage, J&K appeared to have regained control of the contest.
But Smaran had other plans.
Batting at No. 6, Smaran took the attack to the J&K bowlers and turned the momentum decisively in Rest of India’s favour. He brought up a magnificent 126 off just 131 balls, studded with 15 fours and five sixes, displaying an array of attacking strokes as he repeatedly found the gaps and cleared the boundary.
It was another standout performance from Smaran at the venue after he had scored a valuable 68 in Rest of India’s first innings.
Sanat Sangwan made a patient 55 off 160 balls.
His unbeaten century ensured Rest of India recovered from 131 for five to finish the day at 306 for eight in 94 overs, extending their overall lead to 265 runs.
The visitors will now resume on the fourth day with Smaran unbeaten on 126 and Mukesh Choudhary not out on nine, with two wickets still in hand.
For J&K, Umar Nazir and Sahil Lotra claimed three wickets each, while Sunil Kumar and Lone Nasir picked up one apiece.
J&K had earlier secured a crucial 41-run first-innings lead, after being bowled out for 278 in reply to Rest of India’s 237. Their lower-order resistance, led by Lone Nasir’s 64, had given them an advantage, but Smaran’s second-innings hundred has now shifted the pressure firmly back on the hosts.
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