Bengal vs J&K: Pacers hold aces on lively track

Kalyani: The J&K team has created a stir this time by making their maiden Ranji Trophy semifinal, in which they will play Bengal at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground in Kalyani from Sunday. They have already established their credentials by defeating former champions Rajasthan, Delhi, Hyderabad in group stage and Madhya Pradesh in the quarters.Led by veteran Paras Dogra, J&K will look to lift their first domestic title while Bengal will be in hot pursuit of their third crown after ending up as runners-up twice in the last five seasons.Both the unbeaten sides look well balanced and in good rhythm. “There’s little difference between the sides which make this stage (semis),” Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla stated.On a lively Kalyani track, the teams are expected to bank on their speed guns. While Bengal possess arguably the country’s best pace attack in Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep and Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, all eyes will be on J&K’s Auqib Nabi who played a leading role in dismantling MP with a match haul of 12 for 110. The in-form pacer from Baramulla, who has the ability to move the ball both ways, has already taken 46 wickets in this Ranji taking his tally to 97 first-class wickets since the start of the 2024-25 Ranji season. “I feel if there are good bowlers on either side, then it’s the team which bats better holds the edge,” Bengal skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran said.