SURAT, Dec 25: Jammu & Kashmir delivered a clinical demolition of Sikkim, sealing a commanding innings-and-190-runs victory—their fourth consecutive innings triumph in the ongoing U-16 Men’s Vijay Merchant Trophy at CK Pithawala Ground here today.
This masterclass propelled J&K to the top of the table with 28 points, ahead of Mizoram (18) and Sikkim (14).
Opting to bat first, J&K posted a formidable 405/9 declared in 85 overs. Karman Singh anchored the innings with a masterful 142 off 258 balls, featuring 17 boundaries. Hadi Amin (54) and Hammad Firdous (50) added sparkling fifties, while Arslan Nayyar’s brisk 43 provided the finishing flourish as J&K’s young batters asserted total dominance.
Sikkim’s bowlers fought back gamely, with Biswash claiming 3 wickets and Ladip, Towel, and Sahil Rai picking up one apiece.In reply, Sikkim collapsed spectacularly for 120 all out. Athrav Sharma orchestrated the rout with a mesmerizing 8/24 in 19 overs of leg-spin wizardry, backed by Sanil Singh’s tireless 2/39 in 21.3 overs.
Earlier, resuming from an overnight 30/3 in their second innings, Sikkim folded tamely for 95. Arihanta Sachdeva (17) and Abinav (16) offered minor resistance, but Sanil Singh and Rajveer Singh (3 wickets each) led the charge, with Harinder Singh and Hammad Firdous grabbing 2 apiece. Sikkim’s top scorers in the first dig—Raunak (17), skipper Yoowel (13), and Bishwash (11)—couldn’t stem the tide.
JKCA Member-Administration Brig Anil Gupta lauded the “young brigade” for their relentless brilliance: “In our fourth match, Karman’s third ton (142), Hadi Amin’s 54, and Hammad’s 50 propelled us to 405/9 declared. Athrav then spun a web with 8/24.”
