Srinagar, Dec 1: Jammu & Kashmir will take on Chandigarh on Tuesday at the JU Second Campus, Salt Lake, Kolkata, in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy encounter that may prompt key changes in the playing XI.
With the tournament progressing and points becoming increasingly vital, all eyes are on whether the J&K team management will hand opportunities to Nasir Lone and Kawalpreet Singh, both of whom have been in the discussion for their consistent domestic performances.
J&K’s campaign so far has been marked by a mix of bright spells and worrying patterns. The poor and inconsistent form of top-order batters Vivrant Sharma and Musiaf Ajaz has emerged as a major concern. Their repeated failures have left the batting order under pressure in every game, raising the possibility of a reshuffle.
This is where Nasir Lone and Kawalpreet Singh come into the picture. Nasir, an all-rounder known for his clean stroke play and adaptability, offers solidity in both the departments. Kawalpreet, on the other hand, brings balance with his ability to contribute with both batting and bowling. Their inclusion could provide the fresh energy and stability J&K badly need as they look to steady their campaign.
On the positive side, Yawer Hassan has made strong use of the limited opportunities he has received, impressing with his temperament and shot selection. Today’s match will also be a test for him to see whether he can convert promising starts into match-defining knocks and cement a permanent place in the lineup going forward.
J&K’s bowling unit, particularly Auqib Nabi and Yudhvir Singh, has been the standout force this season. Both pacers have delivered consistently, offering breakthroughs at crucial moments and keeping the team in contests even when the batting faltered. Umran Malik struggled in the last match and leaked 50 runs in his four-over quota. Spin duo Abid and Ashwin are also key contributors for the J&K, with Abid also contributing with bat down in the batting order. Their form once again remains central to J&K’s prospects against Chandigarh’s batting lineup.
With the stakes rising and pressure mounting on certain players, today’s match may signal a shift in J&K’s strategy. The likely inclusion of Nasir Lone and Kawalpreet Singh could strengthen the XI and reflect the team’s intent to address recurring concerns.
