Ranji Trophy 2025, J&K vs Hyderabad — Day 2: Samad–Wadhwan stand puts J&K in command, lead swells to 324
Srinagar, Nov 17: Jammu & Kashmir tightened their grip on the Ranji Trophy clash against Hyderabad with a commanding all-round performance on Day 2, first dismantling the visitors for 121 and then piling on 275/4 in the second innings to stretch their overall lead to a massive 324 runs with two days still remaining.
Sunil Kumar, Auqib Nabi Rip Through Hyderabad
Resuming the morning at Hyderabad six down, J&K wasted no time in wrapping up the innings. The home side’s pace duo, Sunil Kumar and Auqib Nabi, were relentless throughout, finishing with richly earned rewards.
Sunil Kumar: 13.2–3–29–5
A superb display of control and discipline, Sunil ran through the middle and lower order to claim a brilliant five-wicket haul, his best showing this season.
Auqib Nabi: 16–1–39–4
Continuing from where he left off on Day 1, Auqib’s swing and seam movement proved too much for Hyderabad. His double strike early and sharp spells later ensured Hyderabad never recovered.
The pair combined for 9 wickets, restricting Hyderabad to a mere 121, giving J&K a valuable 49-run lead.
J&K’s Second Innings: Qamran Starts Strong, Samad–Wadhwan Take Charge
J&K began their second innings with more intent and solidity. Qamran Iqbal’s fluent 50 provided the perfect platform, although his opening partner Shubham Khajuria once again failed to get going, falling for just 5, continuing a lean run that will concern the team.
Skipper Paras Dogra departed cheaply, leaving the innings delicately poised at 95/3.
Vivrant Sharma battled hard for his 45, weathering testing spells, but will rue not converting it into a substantial score after doing the tough work.
But from there, it turned into the Samad–Wadhwan Show.
Samad and Wadhwan Take Control With Unbeaten 148-Run Stand
Abdul Samad (77 off 134)* played one of his most mature first-class knocks, combining patience with calculated aggression.
At the other end, wicketkeeper-batter Kanhaiya Wadhwan (82 off 98)* was fluent from the start, rotating the strike superbly and punishing anything loose.
Together, they stitched a match-defining 148-run unbeaten partnership, grinding down the Hyderabad attack and putting J&K in a position of absolute authority.
J&K in the Driver’s Seat
At stumps on Day 2, J&K stand tall at 275/4, with a massive 324-run lead and six wickets still in hand. With two full days to go and the pitch beginning to offer variable bounce, the hosts have placed themselves in a dominant position.
Unless Hyderabad scripts something extraordinary, J&K looks headed towards a comprehensive victory.
