Ranji Trophy: Baroda 177/4 against J&K's 457 in 1st innings

 

Pundir, Vivrant slam tons; Umar produces fiery spell

 

VADODARA: Baroda were 177/4 against J&K's 1st innings score of 457 runs as talented middle-order batters Shubham Singh Pundir and Vivrant Sharma slammed magnificent centuries, while Speedster  Umar Nazir produced a fiery spell in the Ranji Trophy Group-D match at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara today.

JK Singh was dismissed on the last ball of the day at 79 runs off 147 balls, studded with 9 fours and one six, while Shivalik Sharma was at the crease on 35 runs at stumps on day-2 today.

Kinit Patel (45), Shaswat Rawat (00) and skipper Vishnu Solanki (13) were the other three Baroda batters to be dismissed.

Speedster Umar Nazir was the pick of the bowlers for J&K, who took 3 wickets by conceding 37 runs in 11.3 overs.

Earlier, resuming from an overnight score of 359/4, J&K rode on a marathon knock of 172 runs by Shubham Singh Pundir to score a big total of 457 runs in the first innings. Pundir took 255 balls and hit 14 fours and 6 sixes.

Earlier, Vivrant scored 139 runs off 191 balls, studded with 11 fours and 7 sixes.

Vivrant and Pundir were the real heroes, cracking splendid centuries to guide Jammu and Kashmir reach a good total.

Both the batters were in awe-inspiring touch, showing sublimity, fluidity and brilliance to hit the ball with elegance, grace and sophistication. Sahil Lotra also contributed 40 runs, while J&K lost opener Qamran Iqbal (04) early in the innings, however, another opener and skipper Shubham Khajuria and Vivrant Sharma consolidated the innings and took the score to 98 runs in 27.2 overs, before the dismissal of Khajuria at his individual score of 47 runs off 91 balls, studded with 4 fours and 3 sixes. Then came explosive Abdul Samad who contributed brisk 22 off 28 balls with one four and 2 sixes before his departure.

For Baroda, A Sheth was the pick of the bowlers, who captured 5 wickets by giving away 88 runs in 23.1 overs, while Mahesh Pithiya bagged 2 wickets. Bharghav Bhatt and NA Rathva claimed one wicket each.

"Splendid centuries by Vivrant and Pundir have put J&K in strong position on the first day in its clash with table topper Baroda at Vadodara. Well played Team JKCA. Keep it up. Well begun is half done," tweeted Brig Anil Gupta, Member-Administration JKCA.