Pundir, Dogra and Lotra lead disciplined batting effort as debut finalists seize control on Day Two
Inayat Qayoom
Hubli, Feb 25:
Jammu and Kashmir strengthened their position in the Ranji Trophy final with a commanding batting display, reaching 527 for 6 at stumps on Day Two against Karnataka at the KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
After resuming at 284 for 2, Jammu and Kashmir capitalised on a solid foundation with disciplined batting across the order to put the eight-time champions under sustained pressure in their maiden Ranji Trophy final appearance in decades.
Overnight centurion Shubham Pundir extended his innings to 121, striking 12 boundaries and two sixes before being caught at mid-wicket off Vidyadhar Patil in the 98th over. His dismissal ended a crucial innings that laid the platform for J&K’s imposing total.
Abdul Samad added a brisk 61 before falling to Prasidh Krishna, who emerged as Karnataka’s most successful bowler of the innings. Despite quick strikes, Karnataka were unable to stem the flow of runs as J&K moved steadily beyond the 300-run mark.
Captain Paras Dogra, who had retired hurt on Day One after being struck by short deliveries, returned to the crease and steadied the innings with a vital partnership alongside wicketkeeper-batter Kanhaiya Wadhawan. The pair guided J&K past 350, with Wadhawan scoring a fluent 70 before being caught in the slips after surviving earlier chances.
Dogra continued to anchor the innings before falling shortly before tea to a googly from Shreyas Gopal.
Lower-order contributions further consolidated J&K’s advantage, with Sahil Lotra scoring a composed 57 off 93 balls, including seven boundaries. Abid Mushtaq remained unbeaten on 20 as the pair added an unbroken 56-run stand for the seventh wicket to take the total past 500.
Play was briefly interrupted by a verbal exchange between Dogra and Karnataka substitute fielder KV Aneesh during the second session, though the situation was quickly brought under control by the umpires and senior players.
Bad light and intermittent rain brought an early end to the day’s play, leaving Jammu and Kashmir strongly placed at 527 for 6 in the first innings.
Karnataka will need a substantial response to stay in contention against a J&K side seeking its maiden Ranji Trophy title.