Ranji Trophy 2026-27: Rohit shines as J&K runs through Madhya Pradesh on opening day

Rohit Sharma claimed five wickets as Jammu and Kashmir skittled Madhya Pradesh for 196. | Photo Credit: IMRAN NISSAR

Auqib Nabi had an off day, but Jammu and Kashmir found its heroes in Rohit Sharma and Sunil Kumar. Rohit claimed the second five-wicket haul of his first-class career, while Sunil picked up four wickets to bowl Madhya Pradesh out for 196 on the opening day of its Ranji Trophy Group A fixture on Sunday.

In reply, J&K ended the day at 3 for one, with Avesh Khan trapping Shubham Khajuria leg before wicket off the penultimate ball of the day.

For Rohit (five for 36), it was a satisfying return to first-class cricket after two years. Sharing his name with India’s erstwhile captain, the tall pacer showed little sign of rust, keeping an inexperienced MP batting line-up on its toes at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium.

J&K’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss paid off early as Sunil (four for 69) troubled the openers before dismissing Yash Dubey. Rohit then joined the act, hitting the right areas and ensuring MP could not settle into a rhythm.

With three debutants in its ranks, MP needed its senior batters to step up. Captain Shubham Sharma (79, 174b, 8x4) took responsibility, adding 65 runs for the fourth wicket with debutant Chanchal Rathore before stitching together a 51-run stand for the seventh wicket with Aryan Pandey.

Shubham brought up a gritty half-century, showing patience as he tried to steady the innings. Sunil had a chance to claim a five-wicket haul of his own but put down a sharp return catch offered by the MP captain. He made amends by dismissing Pandey in the final session and removing Avesh Khan off the next delivery.

Nabi, who struggled to find his rhythm for much of the day, eventually picked up a wicket as MP’s lower order folded, losing its last four wickets for just 34 runs.

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