Ranji Trophy Final: Pundir’s Historic Ton, Middle-order Prowess Fire J&K To 584 Against Karnataka

Ranji Trophy Final: Pundir’s historic ton, middle-order prowess fire J&K to 584 against Karnataka (Image Source: IANS)

Ranji Trophy Final: A historic century from Shubham Pundir and half-centuries from Yawer Hassan, captain Paras Dogra, Abdul Samad, Kanhaiya Wadhawan, Sahil Lotra powered Jammu and Kashmir to a commanding first-innings total of 584 against Karnataka on the third morning of the Ranji Trophy final at the Hubli Cricket Ground on Thursday.

Resuming from their overnight score of 527/6, Jammu and Kashmir extended their dominance through valuable lower-order contributions, with Sahil Lotra top-scoring with 72 and Yudhvir Singh Charak adding a brisk 30 before the innings ended in the 174th over.

Karnataka pacer Prasidh Krishna was the standout bowler, finishing with an impressive five-wicket haul, but received little assistance from an unresponsive surface that favoured the batters.

Jammu and Kashmir’s dominance was built on a strong foundation laid on Day 1 after electing to bat. Opener Yawer Hassan set the tone with a fluent 88, forging a crucial partnership with Pundir, who went on to script history by becoming the first batter from Jammu and Kashmir to score a century in a Ranji Trophy final. His patient 121 anchored the innings and ensured Karnataka were kept on the defensive for most of the contest.

After Karnataka struck early on Day 2 to remove Pundir and Abdul Samad in quick succession, captain Dogra stepped in to stabilise the innings. The experienced skipper displayed composure and resilience, scoring a crucial 50 off 150 balls while guiding the middle order through a testing phase. He shared a valuable partnership with Kanhaiya Wadhawan, who contributed a fluent 70, as Jammu and Kashmir crossed the 450-run mark and tightened their grip on the final.

The lower order then ensured Karnataka were denied any late momentum. Lotra played a key hand with a patient 72, while Abid Mushtaq (28) and Yudhvir chipped in with useful runs, stretching the total beyond 580. Multiple fifty-plus scores across the lineup and consistent partnerships throughout the innings prevented Karnataka from applying sustained pressure.

After Karnataka struck early on Day 2 to remove Pundir and Abdul Samad in quick succession, captain Dogra stepped in to stabilise the innings. The experienced skipper displayed composure and resilience, scoring a crucial 50 off 150 balls while guiding the middle order through a testing phase. He shared a valuable partnership with Kanhaiya Wadhawan, who contributed a fluent 70, as Jammu and Kashmir crossed the 450-run mark and tightened their grip on the final.

Brief Scores: Jammu & Kashmir 584 (Shubham Pundir 121, Yawer Hassan 88, Sahil Lotra 72, Kanhaiya Wadhawan 70, Paras Dogra 70; Prasidh Krishna 5-98) vs Karnataka.

Article Source: IANS