Chamba: A skipper's knock of 170 not out by Rajiv Nayyar put Himachal Pradesh in a commanding position on the third day of the four day league match of the North Zone Ranji Trophy against Jammu & Kashmir here on Tuesday. The hosts scored 407 runs for 6 wickets at close of play in reply to J & K's first innings score of 249.

Resuming at the overnight total of 219 for three, Himachal lost the wicket of Sangram Singh after adding 64 runs to the total. Sangram was run out for 27 at 283. Rajiv Nayyar scored his 13th century while playing his 113th innngs of his 61st Ranji match.

Yashwinder Singh who joined Nayyar scored 55 runs before he was bowled by Sanjay Sharma and the fifth wicket partnership of 91 runs carried the score to 374. The Himachal boys made slow and steady progress. They lost a sixth wicket, that of Anuj Pal Dass (10) who was also bowled by Sanjay. Only 188 runs were scored during the day and Rajiv Nayyar who hit 15 fours and a six could add only 81 runs to his overnight tally of 89 runs. Himachal, ahead by 158 runs is virtually assured of five points with only one day left in the game.