Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) made a strong statement on Day 1 of the Ranji Trophy final against Karnataka, with Shubham Pundir and Yawer Hassan leading the charge. Pundir, the 27-year-old left-handed batter, played a brilliant knock, remaining unbeaten on 117, while the young and talented Hassan contributed a steady 88 runs. By the close of play, J&K had posted a solid 284/2, with Abdul Samad (52*) joining Pundir in an unbroken partnership.
The day saw a masterful partnership of 139 runs between Pundir and Hassan, which left Karnataka's bowlers scrambling for breakthroughs. Despite the challenging conditions, Pundir and Hassan remained calm and composed, tackling the disciplined Karnataka bowlers.
Key Moments:
- Shubham Pundir’s Century: Pundir reached his century in style, smashing a six over deep mid-wicket off Shikhar Shetty. His century was a moment of pride for J&K as he raised his arms towards the dressing room in acknowledgment.
- Yawer Hassan’s Contribution: Hassan, who had struggled to find form earlier, found his rhythm in the final. His 88 runs helped anchor the innings, and his timing was impeccable throughout his knock.
- Karnataka’s Bowling Struggles: Karnataka’s bowlers, including Prasidh Krishna, Shreyas Gopal, and Vidyadhar Patil, were disciplined but couldn't break the partnership. Despite some near-misses and a few streaky edges, they failed to make significant inroads into the J&K batting lineup.
- Injury Concerns: J&K captain Paras Dogra faced a couple of bouncers from Krishna, which caused discomfort and required medical attention. After a blow to his neck, Dogra retired hurt, and Abdul Samad took his place at the crease.
- J&K’s Early Setback: J&K lost Qamran Iqbal early for 6, caught behind off a Prasidh Krishna delivery, but the steady contributions from Pundir and Hassan quickly stabilized the innings.
- Lunch Break: By lunch, J&K was in a solid position at 104/1, with Hassan on 57* and Pundir on 38*. Despite difficult playing conditions, the duo showed resilience against the new ball and managed to see off the early threat.
