Ranji Trophy final: J&K reach 284/2 on Day 1
Jammu and Kashmir’s batters delivered a dream performance in their maiden Ranji Trophy final, racing to a commanding 284 for 2 by stumps on Day 1 against eight-time champions Karnataka at the picturesque Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Hubballi Cricket Ground.
After captain Paras Dogra won the toss and elected to bat first, the underdogs seized control from the outset, frustrating Karnataka’s vaunted bowling lineup throughout the day. Openers Qamran Iqbal and Yawer Hassan provided a solid platform before Yawer fell for a well-compiled 88 to Prasidh Krishna, who also accounted for the other wicket.
The standout performer was Shubham Pundir, whose unbeaten 117 off 221 balls anchored the innings with composure and class. Featuring 12 boundaries and two sixes, Pundir’s ton was a masterclass in concentration and shot selection on a pitch offering good bounce and carry. He forged a crucial 139-run partnership with Yawer before teaming up with Abdul Samad (unbeaten 52 off 67 balls) to accelerate in the final session.
The duo’s unbroken stand pushed J&K past the 250-run mark comfortably, with the visitors ending the day at a strong 284/2 after 87 overs at a steady run rate of 3.26. Karnataka’s bowlers, including Prasidh Krishna (2/36), Vidyadhar Patil, Vijaykumar Vyshak, and spinners Shreyas Gopal and others, toiled hard but found little assistance, managing only sporadic breakthroughs as the J&K top order capitalised on favourable batting conditions.
Member BCCI Sub Committee JKCA Brig (Retd) Anil Gupta, in a post on X, said Day 1 was dominated by Jammu and Kashmir against a strong Karnataka. Our top order came good at the time it mattered. 2 centuries stand speaks volumes of the excellent batting. Very well played. Yawar missed the century; Pundir proved his class. Samad is hungry. Carry on.” One concern for the Jammu and Kashmir side would be the injury to their skipper, Paras Dogra, who was hit in the final session of the day.
He was forced to leave the field and was replaced by Abdul Samad. The change did not slow the momentum as Samad looked in sublime touch from the outset. He quickly reached a half-century for himself and remained unbeaten at the close of play alongside Pundir to further strengthen the team total. With two full days of batting still potentially ahead, J&K will aim to pile on more runs on Day 2 and put further pressure on the hosts. For Karnataka, the challenge is clear: they must break this partnership early tomorrow to claw back into the contest.
On Day 2, J&K will look to accelerate and pile on runs, with the middle order, including captain Paras Dogra, poised to capitalise on the good batting conditions. A score in excess of 400 would put immense pressure on Karnataka’s star-studded lineup, forcing them into a chase against a side that has defied odds all season. The real game-changer, however, could come when J&K turn to their potent pace attack. Leading the charge is Auqib Nabi, the sensational pacer who has been the standout performer of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy with 55 wickets in nine matches so far.
His fiery spells, swing, and relentless accuracy have dismantled batting lineups throughout the campaign, including match-defining hauls in the quarters and semis. Nabi’s ability to extract bounce and movement, combined with support from the likes of Yudhvir Singh and others, is expected to give Karnataka’s batters, featuring the likes of Devdutt Padikkal, Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, and Karun Nair, tough times.
Karnataka, chasing a record ninth title, will need early breakthroughs on Day 2 to stem the tide and keep their hopes alive. Jammu and Kashmir’s Shubham Pundir celebrates his century during the first day of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 final cricket match between Karnataka and Jammu & Kashmir at KSCA Cricket Stadium in Hubballi, Karnataka.
