Jammu and Kashmir’s batsmen produced a masterclass on day two of the Ranji Trophy Elite final, reaching 527/6 against Karnataka in Hubli. This commanding total after winning the toss positions them strongly for victory.
Early trouble struck at 18/1 with Kamran Iqbal’s dismissal for 6. Shubham Pundir’s resilience shone, first with Yawar Hasan’s 88 (13 boundaries) for 139 runs, then Abdul Samad’s 61 for another 124, his own 121 (2 sixes, 12 fours) ending just past 300.
Paras Dogra, back after retiring hurt on 9, combined lethally with Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70, 9 fours) for 110. Dogra’s 70 (8 fours) included a 54-run stand with Sahil Lotra, who stands not out on 57 (7 fours off 97). Abid Mushtaq (20*) ensured a 56-run unfinished partnership.
Prasidd Krishna’s 3 wickets were Karnataka’s highlight, supported by single strikes from Patil, Gopal, and Shetty. J&K’s strategy now: extend the lead before bowling Karnataka out cheaply.
J&K Playing XI: Kamran Iqbal, Yawar Hasan, Shubham Pundir, Paras Dogra (c), Abdul Samad, Kanhaiya Wadhawan (wk), Abid Mushtaq, Aquib Nabi Dar, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Sahil Lotra, Sunil Kumar.
Karnataka XI: KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Devdutt Padikkal (c), Karun Nair, Smaran Ravichandran, Suyash Gopal, Krithik Krishna (wk), Vidyadhar Patil, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Shikhar Shetty, Prasidd Krishna.