Ranji Trophy final: JK’s Paras Dogra headbutts Karnataka fielder on Day 2

HUBBALLI: The highly anticipated Ranji Trophy final between Jammu & Kashmir and Karnataka turned tense on Wednesday when J&K captain Paras Dogra lost his composure and headbutted a Karnataka fielder during Day 2 of the match at the KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground.

The incident unfolded in the 101st over of J&K’s innings, as Dogra and Kanhaiya Wadhawan were consolidating a steady partnership. Following an edge from a delivery by Prasidh Krishna that went for four, Dogra exchanged words with substitute fielder K V Aneesh at forward short leg.

Moments later, Dogra charged at Aneesh and made contact with his helmet, prompting immediate intervention from Mayank Agarwal. Aneesh reportedly had been engaging in persistent sledging, which is believed to have triggered Dogra’s reaction.

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Umpires swiftly stepped in to control the situation. While Dogra offered an apology soon after, Aneesh rejected it outright. K L Rahul and Agarwal, fielding nearby, joined in with verbal exchanges directed at Dogra, further escalating tensions on the field. Dogra was earlier retired hurt on the opening day after being struck on the glove by a rising bouncer from pacer Vijaykumar Vyshak.

The match saw another on-field confrontation shortly after, this time involving pacer Vyshak and batter Wadhawan. During a single attempt, Wadhawan’s left elbow brushed past the pacer, leading to a face-to-face standoff that required umpire and teammate intervention. This time, Dogra remained calm at the other end.

The first-time finalists, Jammu and Kashmir, were in a commanding position against eight-time champions Karnataka at stumps on Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 final at the KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

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On the second day, captain Paras Dogra, Kanhaiya Wadhawan and Sahil Lotra struck half-centuries to build on Jammu and Kashmir’s solid base . When bad light forced umpires to call stumps with more than an hour’s play remaining — including an unused extra half hour — Jammu and Kashmir had moved to 527 for 6 in 156 overs.

The team slipped from their overnight 282/2 to 307/4 inside the first hour. Dogra was earlier retired hurt on the opening day after being struck on the glove by a rising bouncer from pacer Vijaykumar Vyshak.

The Jammu and Kashmir batters continued to put pressure on Karnataka bowlers as they reached 380/4 at Lunch. The second session started with Kanhaiya Wadhawan scoring his half-century. During the 131st over, Shikhar Shetty removed Kanhaiya for 70 runs. Skipper Dogra made his half-century during the 133rd over as his side reached a commanding position.

Jammu and Kashmir crossed the 450-run mark in 137th over. During the 143rd over, Shreyas Gopal dismissed Dogra for 70 runs. Jammu and Kashmir reached 478/6 after the end of the second session.

The third session started with Sahil Lotra completing his half-century. However, due to bad light, umpires called stumps on Day 2 as Jammu and Kashmir were 527/6. Jammu and Kashmir posted 284 for two on Day 1 with Shubham Pundir scoring a century and Yawer Hassan making 88 runs.

Last week, Dogra joined an elite list by becoming only the second player after Wasim Jaffer to score 10,000 runs in Ranji Trophy history. He achieved this feat in his side’s semifinal clash against Bengal in Kalyani.

After Bengal was bundled out for 328/10 following an outstanding hundred from Sudip Kumar Gharami, Dogra walked out to bat at No.4 when his side was struggling at 13/2 and made 58 runs off 112 balls before Mukesh Kumar removed him. J&K won the match by six wickets to enter the first-ever Ranji Trophy final.

Batting first in their maiden Ranji Trophy final, Jammu & Kashmir posted 284 for two on Day 1, highlighted by Shubham Pundir’s century and Yawer Hassan’s 88. On Day 2, the side continued to build on their total, with Wadhawan departing for 70. Dogra remained unbeaten on 51 off 142 balls alongside Sahil Lotra, who was 8 not out, as J&K reached 432 for five in 134 overs at the time of writing this report. (ANI)