Jammu and Kashmir’s right-arm fast bowler, Umar Nazir Mir, delivered an extraordinary performance in the Ranji Trophy clash against Mumbai, dismantling a formidable batting lineup featuring Indian cricket stars Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane. The 31-year-old pacer demonstrated his skill, experience, and ability to extract bounce, creating havoc at the BKC Ground on Thursday.
Dominating Mumbai’s Star Batters
Mir made an early impact by dismissing Indian captain Rohit Sharma for just three runs. A sharp short-pitched delivery forced Rohit into an awkward stroke, resulting in a leading edge that was safely pouched by J&K skipper Paras Dogra at mid-off. Fans who had eagerly gathered to witness Rohit’s domestic comeback were left disappointed as their hopes were dashed in no time.
Rohit, who opened the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal—his partner in India’s Test matches—could not establish a solid start. Jaiswal too fell cheaply, trapped leg-before for four by J&K pacer Auqib Nabi, who exploited the freshness of the pitch.
Mir continued his stellar performance, clean-bowling Mumbai skipper Ajinkya Rahane for 12 with a delivery that jagged back sharply. This crucial wicket further dented Mumbai’s chances of building a recovery. Mir then added Shivam Dube to his tally, dismissing him for a duck with a sharp catch taken by Kanhaiya Wadhawan.
A Career-High Moment for Umar Mir
Standing tall at 6’4″, Umar Nazir Mir has been a vital player for Jammu and Kashmir since his first-class debut in 2013. Known for his ability to generate extra bounce, Mir has been a consistent performer across formats. Over his first-class career, he has amassed 138 wickets in 57 matches. In addition, he has claimed 54 wickets in List A cricket and 32 in T20s.
A native of Pulwama, Mir’s talent earned him a spot in India C’s squad for the Deodhar Trophy in the 2018-19 season. His current form, however, is particularly noteworthy. In his last first-class appearance before the match against Mumbai, Mir registered his career-best figures of 6/53 against Services in October.
Leaving a Mark on Domestic Cricket
Mir’s fiery spell against Mumbai left a lasting impression, overshadowing the much-anticipated domestic returns of Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane. His ability to trouble experienced batters like Rohit and Rahane underlined his potential to shine on the big stage.
As Jammu and Kashmir’s pace spearhead, Umar Nazir Mir continues to be a key figure in the domestic circuit, proving that he has what it takes to excel at the highest level.
