The first session comes to an end and we now break for Lunch. A yummy mallu meal awaits me, I’ll get started and be back in half an hour. Summary from the different centres below.
Shayan from Srinagar: The morning session belonged to Madhya Pradesh. Making the most of the overcast conditions at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium, Avesh Khan struck in his first over of the day, removing night-watchman Vanshaj Sharma.
It set the tone for a session in which Madhya Pradesh’s pacers kept Jammu and Kashmir on the back foot. Bowling round the wicket, they maintained a disciplined line and length, picking up wickets at regular intervals and allowing the batters little time to settle.
From the dugout, MP coach Chandrakant Pandit repeatedly urged his bowlers to stay disciplined and stick to the right line and length. His instructions were followed to the letter, with even experienced campaigners Qamran Iqbal and Paras Dogra falling prey to the relentless pressure.
Dogra and Abdul Samad were expected to lead J&K’s recovery, but Avesh had other plans. Changing his angle, the pacer tempted the J&K captain into a cover drive, only for Yash Dubey to take the catch at gully.
In a contest billed as a battle between two astute tacticians, Pandit and J&K coach Ajay Sharma, the former held the upper hand in the first session of the second day, as the host struggled to find its footing and went into lunch at 88 for 5 in 33 overs.
Anirudh from Secunderabad: Hyderabad 209/5, 79 overs. Lead Tripura by 75 runs.
Hyderabad have done well to deal with the turning track at Gymkhana. Nightwatchman Ruthik (60 off 144b) has turned into the top-scorer for the home side. His 75-run partnership with Rahul Radesh has put Hyderabad in control.
Tripura players walk off weary, not just because of the blazing Sun but also because of the how they have not even come close to breaking this partnership.
Amol from Wankhede: Tanush Kotian (37*) and Mohit Avasthi (23*) have added 32 for the ninth wicket as Mumbai take lunch at 374/8
