STATE TIMES NEWS
HUBBALLI: In a commanding display of batting mastery, Jammu and Kashmir seized control of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 final, reaching a formidable 284/2 against a star-studded Karnataka side at the KSCA Stadium here today.
Talented southpaw Shubham Singh Pundir anchored the innings with a classic unbeaten 117, while openers Yawer Hassan (88) and Abdul Samad (52) unleashed fifties of grit and flair to win the Day 1 battle outright. Earlier, skipper Paras Dogra won the toss and unhesitatingly chose to bat on a true batting paradise-a flat Hubballi pitch offering little early assistance to seamers under clear skies. Openers Qamran Iqbal and Yawer Hassan negotiated the new ball with discipline, but Qamran fell cheaply for 6 (off 36 balls) at 18/1 in 10.2 overs, nicking Prasidh Krishna to the slips. Undeterred, Yawer exemplified steel resolve, forging a match-defining 139-run stand with Pundir to propel J&K to 157/2. The gritty opener departed soon after, chopping on for 88 off 150 balls-his knock laced with 13 boundaries, a testament to his tenacity against Karnataka’s probing attack. Pundir, J&K’s standout warrior, rose to the occasion with an impeccable 117 off 221 balls (12 fours, 2 sixes), blending impeccable defense with crisp strokeplay. Joining him in an unbroken 127-run alliance, Abdul Samad erupted for a brisk 52* off 67 balls (5 fours, 1 six), his power-hitting signaling ominous intent. Skipper Dogra, meanwhile, contributed a gutsy 9 before retiring hurt, ensuring stability at the top.
Karnataka’s bowlers toiled without reward. Prasidh Krishna (2/36 from 16 overs) struck twice, while Vidyadhar Patil, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Shreyas Gopal, and Shikhar Shetty finished wicketless, unable to pierce J&K’s armor.
Excitement spilled over on social media, with Brig Anil Gupta, Member-Administration JKCA, tweeting: “Ranji Trophy Final: Day-1 dominated by J&K against strong Karnataka. Top order delivered when it mattered most. Two century stands speak volumes of our batting depth. Very well played. Yawer missed a ton, Pundir proved class, Samad is hungry. Carry on…!”
J&K’s clinical top-order show sets a daunting platform-Karnataka faces a steep chase to claw back on day-2.