RANJI TROPHY 2025-26: Rain washes out day 3, J&K remain under pressure

Srinagar, Jan 24: Persistent rain washed out the entire third day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match between Jammu and Kashmir and Pondicherry at the Siechem Stadium in Puducherry on Saturday, with no play possible as J&K remained stranded at 150 for 6 in their first innings.

J&K, who are replying to Pondicherry’s total of 233, continue to trail by 83 runs, with four wickets still in hand. The rain-hit day denied the visitors a crucial opportunity to push for a first-innings lead, which cricket observers believe could prove decisive in the context of the match and the group standings.

Experts and former players tracking the game have underlined the importance of securing a first-innings lead, particularly in a contest where conditions have increasingly favoured disciplined bowling. They pointed out that had the J&K top order contributed more substantially, the team would have been well placed to overhaul Pondicherry’s total before weather interruptions became a factor.

With Abdul Samad unbeaten on 40 and key lower-order batters yet to come, J&K will now hope for clearer conditions on Day 4 to first wipe out the deficit and then attempt to build a slender lead. However, the continued rain has added uncertainty to the match, putting greater emphasis on making the most of any available playing time.

As things stand, the weather forecast and the state of the outfield will play a significant role in determining whether J&K get enough time to recover and force a result in this Ranji Trophy encounter.