Mukesh Choudhary takes five for 78 as Rest of India restrict Jammu and Kashmir to 278

Mukesh Choudhary picked up his first five-wicket haul in first-class cricket as Rest of India dismissed Jammu and Kashmir for 278 on day two of the Irani Cup at Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium. The left-arm seamer finished with five for 78 from 19 overs, his best figures in 22 matches across nine years. Rest of India closed at 24 for one in their second innings, 17 runs behind.

Choudhary said he's learned to manage his workload after a string of injuries — rib fracture, back issue, side strain. He now bowls 30 to 35 overs a week and has built the strength to hold 140 km/h. He thanked Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan for promising him a place once he regains fitness.

Choudhary debuted for CSK in 2022 and took 16 wickets that season. A stress fracture kept him out in 2023, but he's back in the franchise's plans with the Ranji Trophy starting October 11.