Irani Cup: Lone Nasir's 64 gives J&K a 41-run first-innings lead over Rest of India
Synopsis
A cricketer who reportedly lacked even a jersey when the Irani Cup kicked off became its most unlikely hero on Day 2. Lone Nasir's fearless 64 — including sixes off Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar — transformed a near-certain deficit into a 41-run lead for Ranji champions J&K, leaving Rest of India on the back foot heading into Day 3.
Key Takeaways
Lone Nasir scored 64 off 58 balls (8 fours, 3 sixes) as a last-minute inclusion to hand J&K a 41-run first-innings lead .
J&K were bowled out for 278 in 64.2 overs , surpassing Rest of India's 237 .
A post-lunch collapse saw J&K slide from 138/4 to 166/8 before Nasir's blitz reversed the tide.
Paras Dogra (75) and Abdul Samad (57) shared a 101-run partnership to stabilise the innings.
Mukesh Choudhary claimed 5 for 78 and Akash Deep took 3 for 43 for Rest of India.
Rest of India ended Day 2 at 24/1 , still trailing J&K by 17 runs .
Last-minute inclusion Lone Nasir delivered a stunning counter-attacking 64 off 58 balls to hand Jammu & Kashmir a precious 41-run first-innings lead over the Rest of India on Day 2 of the Irani Cup at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar on Friday, 2 October. The seam-bowling all-rounder, who reportedly did not even have his own jersey when the tournament began, turned what looked like a certain deficit into a commanding position for the Ranji Trophy champions.
J&K were bowled out for 278 in 64.2 overs, overhauling Rest of India's first-innings total of 237. At stumps, RoI had crawled to 24/1, still trailing by 17 runs, after J&K pacer Sunil Kumar removed opener Shikhar Mohan cheaply late in the day.
Nasir's Match-Turning Blitz
At 2:46 pm, when Nasir pulled a short delivery over deep midwicket to push J&K into the lead, the dugout erupted — a moment that felt like a turning point in the match. Just an hour before that shot, a first-innings lead had seemed almost out of reach.
A post-lunch collapse had reduced J&K from 138/4 to a precarious 166/8, leaving them trailing by 71 runs. The Bandipora-based Nasir, playing only because first-choice pacers Auqib Nabi and Yudhvir Singh were unavailable, joined captain Paras Dogra and rewrote the script. He began cautiously before launching into RoI's star-studded pace attack — sweeping left-arm spinner Manav Suthar to deep midwicket and lofting him over extra cover in the same over.
Even after Dogra fell with J&K still seven runs shy of RoI's total, Nasir pressed on without hesitation. Unfazed by short-pitched deliveries from Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar, he smashed Mukesh for a four and two sixes in quick succession to reach a 48-ball half-century. His innings of 64, laced with eight fours and three sixes, ended when Akash Deep trapped him lbw with a reverse-swinging delivery. An enterprising 48-run last-wicket stand with Sunil Kumar had already ensured J&K crossed the RoI total.
Dogra and Samad Build the Platform
Before Nasir's assault, J&K's response had been steadied by a vital 101-run partnership between Paras Dogra (75 off 143 balls) and Abdul Samad (57 off 88 balls). Resuming Day 2 at 21/2, J&K found themselves in deeper trouble at 37/4 as Mukesh Choudhary exploited a green-tinged pitch to dismiss Shubham Khajuria and Qamran Iqbal in rapid succession.
Samad blended caution with enterprise, reaching his fifty off 80 balls before falling shortly after the lunch break to Mukesh. Choudhary ultimately finished with a well-deserved 5 for 78, while Akash Deep claimed 3 for 43. Despite looking uncomfortable against high pace, Dogra showed remarkable grit — reaching his half-century off 113 balls and adding 64 runs with Nasir for the ninth wicket before top-edging a bumper to fine leg.
J&K Pacers Strike Late
J&K's bowlers wasted little time pressing their psychological advantage. Left-arm pacer Sunil Kumar struck with the second innings barely underway, removing opener Shikhar Mohan cheaply to leave RoI at 24/1 at stumps. The hosts will resume on Day 3 still 17 runs adrift, with J&K's pace attack primed to test a batting lineup that must now bat out of trouble.
Brief Scores
Rest of India 237 and 24/1 (Sudip Kumar Gharami 10 not out; Sunil Kumar 1-9) trail Jammu & Kashmir 278 all out in 64.2 overs (Paras Dogra 75, Lone Nasir 64; Mukesh Choudhary 5-78, Akash Deep 3-43) by 17 runs.
Day 3 will be decisive — J&K will be eager to press their lead, while RoI must stage a recovery to keep their Irani Cup hopes alive.
Point of View
And whether this lead proves a springboard or merely a footnote.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on Day 2 of the Irani Cup 2024?
Jammu & Kashmir were bowled out for 278, securing a 41-run first-innings lead over Rest of India, who had scored 237 in their first innings. Last-minute inclusion Lone Nasir's 64 off 58 balls was the decisive contribution, turning a near-collapse into a commanding lead.
Who is Lone Nasir and why is his innings significant?
Lone Nasir is a Bandipora-based seam-bowling all-rounder who was drafted into J&K's playing XI only after first-choice pacers Auqib Nabi and Yudhvir Singh became unavailable. He reportedly did not even have his own jersey when the Irani Cup began, making his match-turning 64 one of the tournament's most unlikely performances.
What was the Irani Cup Day 2 scorecard?
Rest of India scored 237 in their first innings. J&K replied with 278 all out in 64.2 overs (Paras Dogra 75, Lone Nasir 64; Mukesh Choudhary 5-78, Akash Deep 3-43), taking a 41-run lead. At stumps, Rest of India were 24/1 in their second innings, still trailing by 17 runs.
How did Rest of India's bowlers perform on Day 2?
Mukesh Choudhary was the pick of the RoI bowlers with 5 for 78, exploiting the green-tinged pitch to dismantle J&K's middle order. Akash Deep supported with 3 for 43, and the pair reduced J&K to 166/8 before Nasir's blitz changed the match's complexion.
What does J&K need to do on Day 3 of the Irani Cup?
J&K enter Day 3 with a 17-run overall lead after dismissing one RoI opener in the second innings. Their focus will be on extending that lead with their pace attack, while Rest of India must rebuild and post a challenging target to keep their hopes alive.
