Srinagar, Oct 18: Mumbai held their nerve to defeat a spirited Jammu and Kashmir side by 35 runs in a thrilling Ranji Trophy 2025–26 encounter at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, Srinagar, on Saturday.
The four-day contest had everything, fiery spells, patient hundreds, late-order resistance, and a vocal home crowd that watched their team fight till the final hour.
Chasing 243 for what would have been a historic win over the domestic giants, J&K were bowled out for 207 in 64.4 overs, falling just short despite a brave rearguard led by opener Qamran Iqbal (56) and all-rounder Auqib Nabi (37 off 50). Mumbai’s reliable left-arm spinner Shams Mulani was once again the difference, claiming 7 for 46 to guide his side to victory.
Day 1: Lad and Mulani rescue Mumbai after early strikes
The match began on Wednesday on a lively surface, and J&K’s seamers made early inroads after Mumbai was put to bat.
Auqib Nabi struck with the fifth ball of the match, removing Musheer Khan for a duck with a delivery that moved late off the seam. Yudhvir Singh then produced two fine spells, dismissing Ayush Mhatre (28) and Rahane (27), both caught behind by wicketkeeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan.
At 74 for 3, Mumbai were wobbling when Sarfaraz Khan (42) and Siddhesh Lad (116) added 67 runs for the fourth wicket. A run-out against the run of play sent Sarfaraz back, but Lad and Shams Mulani rebuilt the innings with remarkable composure. Their 159-run stand for the fifth wicket turned the tide firmly in Mumbai’s favour.
Lad’s fluent 116 off 156 balls, decorated with 17 fours and three sixes, was a reminder of his class and experience. Mulani, calm and measured at the other end, steered Mumbai to 336 for 5 at stumps. The highlight for local fans came during lunch, when pacer Umran Malik, not in the playing XI, bowled a few brisk overs on the practice pitch to the crowd’s delight.
Day 2: Dogra’s hundred keeps hosts in contest
Mulani fell agonisingly short of a century, dismissed for 91 after holding the innings together for over two sessions. Mumbai’s total of 386 looked formidable, with Yudhvir Singh finishing as J&K’s best bowler, claiming 5 for 96, his first five-wicket haul of the season. Auqib Nabi (2/54) and Abid Mushtaq (1/73) offered good support.
In response, J&K endured a shaky start, losing both openers, Shubham Khajuria and Musaif Ajaz, cheaply to Shardul Thakur and Tushar Deshpande. At 2 for 2, the hosts were under pressure before captain PK Dogra (112)* stood tall.
Dogra rebuilt patiently, first with Qamran Iqbal (23) and later with the aggressive Abdul Samad (44 off 69), adding a vital 94-run partnership. The skipper’s knock was a mix of classic stroke play and mental presence. He reached his century in style, as the home crowd erupted in applause.
Lower-order runs from Abid Mushtaq (40) and Auqib Nabi (21) ensured J&K ended Day 2 at 273 for 7, still trailing by 113 runs but well within striking distance.
Day 3: Auqib’s five-for gives J&K a glimmer of hope
Friday belonged to the bowlers and to Auqib Nabi. After J&K were dismissed for 325, conceding a 61-run lead, Auqib produced a fiery spell that rattled Mumbai’s second innings. Bending his back on a responsive surface, he removed the top order and returned with 5 for 52 in 16 overs. He found seam and swing, troubling every Mumbai batter with his control and pace.
Mumbai’s innings never settled. Apart from Shams Mulani (41) and Akash Anand (31), none of the visiting batters could withstand J&K’s relentless pace attack. Abid Mushtaq (2/40), Yudhvir Singh (2/30), and Umar Nazir (1/34) kept the pressure on, bundling Mumbai out for 181 in 56.5 overs.
Set a target of 243, J&K lost opener Shubham Khajuria early for a duck, trapped lbw by Tushar Deshpande. But Qamran Iqbal (11)* and Musaif Ajaz (10)* ensured the hosts reached 21/1 at stumps, leaving 222 more to chase on the final day.
Day 4: Mulani spins Mumbai to victory
Saturday dawned bright, but tension hovered over the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium as J&K resumed their chase. Qamran Iqbal led the charge with a determined 56 off 107 balls, blending patience with clean hitting. He shared small but crucial partnerships with Dogra (29) and Sahil Lotra (29) that kept the scoreboard moving.
However, once Shams Mulani found his rhythm, the match tilted back Mumbai’s way. The left-arm spinner exploited the rough patches expertly, removing Dogra and Wadhawan in quick succession. From 84/3, J&K slid to 131/6, and Mumbai sensed victory.
Auqib Nabi, undeterred, counter-attacked late in the innings with 37 not out, striking four boundaries and two sixes, but the lack of support from the other end proved decisive. Umar Nazir’s brief cameo of 7 kept hopes flickering before Mulani trapped him lbw to end the innings at 207, handing Mumbai a 35-run win.
Mulani finished with 7 for 46, while Tushar Deshpande (1/56) and Shardul Thakur (1/31) chipped in.
A spirited start for J&K
While many former cricketers associated with JKCA, while speaking to Greater Kashmir, said despite the narrow loss, J&K’s performance against a heavyweight side like Mumbai injected new belief in their campaign.
Meanwhile, as the Ranji Trophy season gathers pace, J&K’s ability to push Mumbai to the brink will be remembered as a statement that this team, on its home turf, can stand shoulder to shoulder with India’s best.
