The Ranji Trophy semi-final between Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir intensified on Day 2 as Mohammed Shami claimed three key wickets, yet J&K showcased resilience, finishing at 198 for 5 and requiring 131 more runs to take a first-innings lead. The match remains delicately poised heading into Day 3, with momentum swinging between both sides.

Bengal resumed at 249 for 5, eventually posting 328, thanks to Sudip Kumar Gharami’s 146 and a brisk contribution from Sumanta Gupta. Auqib Nabi’s five-wicket haul for 87 in 26 overs kept J&K in check, marking his 50th wicket of the season. Left-arm seamer Sunil Kumar (3/41) ensured Bengal could not accelerate further, while disciplined bowling maintained pressure during the innings.

Jammu and Kashmir began their reply under pressure, losing three early wickets to Mohammed Shami, including Shubham Khajuria and Tawer Hussain, as Mukesh Kumar removed Shubham Pundir. At 13 for 3, the semi-final seemed to tilt in Bengal’s favour.

However, Paras Dogra and Abdul Samad engineered a dramatic recovery with a 143-run fourth-wicket partnership. Samad’s fearless 82 off 85 balls, coupled with Dogra’s steady 58, shifted momentum, highlighting Dogra’s milestone of 10,000 Ranji Trophy runs. Bengal captain Abhimanyu Easwaran’s defensive field placements and Shahbaz Ahmed’s containment spell (0/19) allowed J&K to consolidate.

Shami returned to dismiss Samad, followed by Mukesh Kumar removing Dogra, reducing J&K to 156 for 5. Yet, Abid Mushtaq and Kanhaiya Wadhawan added an unbeaten 42-run stand for the sixth wicket, keeping the semi-final finely balanced at stumps.

Day 3 promises a gripping contest. Bengal will look to Shami and Mukesh Kumar for early breakthroughs, while J&K aim to extend lower-order resistance to secure a first-innings lead. With tactical adjustments and individual brilliance shaping the match, the Ranji Trophy semi-final continues to deliver high-stakes domestic cricket drama.