Jammu & Kashmir 284 for 2 (Pundir 117*, Yawer 88, Samad 52*, Prasidh 2/36) vs Karnataka on Day 1 of Ranji Trophy final
It was a complete Jammu and Kashmir show on Day 1 of the Ranji Trophy final against Karnataka, as they seized control with discipline and authority. Shubham Pundir anchored the innings with a superb unbeaten 117, while Yawer Hassan struck a tenacious 88 to lay the foundation for a commanding total. Abdul Samad then provided brisk support with an assured 52 not out, as J&K closed the day on 284 for two, firmly in the ascendancy.
Pundir, the 27-year-old left-handed batter, was 117 not out at stumps, with Samad unbeaten on 52. The duo had added 105 runs for the third wicket after skipper Paras Dogra retired hurt.
Earlier, Pundir and Yawer stitched together a 139-run stand to lay the foundation for a big total against the eight-time champions, whose batters boast an impressive record at this venue.
Pundir reached his hundred in style, smashing Shikhar Shetty for a six over deep midwicket. He celebrated by removing his helmet and raising his arms towards the dressing room.
On a pitch likely to deteriorate as the match progresses, Jammu and Kashmir won an important toss, and Dogra’s decision to bat first was on expected lines.
Playing in their maiden Ranji Trophy final after an inspired run that included away victories over established sides such as Madhya Pradesh and Bengal in the knockouts, J&K lost Qamran Iqbal (6) early.
The opener poked at a Prasidh Krishna delivery that straightened slightly, inducing an outside edge for KL Rahul to complete a comfortable catch in the slip cordon. The lack of foot movement from Qamran contributed to the early dismissal.
However, the decision to bat was vindicated by Yawer and Pundir, who carried the team to 104 for one at lunch. Yawer was unbeaten on 57 at the break, with Pundir on 38, as the pair batted with confidence to blunt Karnataka’s experienced attack.
It was not easy in the middle. There were numerous plays and misses and a few streaky edges, but both batters negotiated the difficult new-ball period effectively. They may not have appeared fluent at all times, but they were efficient, keeping the scoreboard ticking at around three runs an over.
Karnataka’s bowlers—the three pacers and leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal were disciplined in line and length but found little reward for their perseverance. Shreyas, the season’s leading wicket-taker with 55 scalps heading into the final, beat the bat on several occasions but could not make the breakthrough, even as Yawer and Pundir looked to prevent him from settling into rhythm.
The 22-year-old Yawer, who made his First-Class debut in Rohit Sharma’s last red-ball game in 2025 and had gone nine matches without a fifty, chose the grand stage to rediscover form. He struck 13 boundaries in a fluent knock before falling for 88 off 150 balls, again to Prasidh, edging to Rahul at first slip. Both dismissals on the day were similar in nature.
Before the breakthrough, Prasidh tested Yawer with a sharp bouncer that struck him on the body and required medical attention.
Captain Dogra too was struck on the neck by a rising delivery from Prasidh. The seamer appealed for a catch at forward short leg, suspecting a glove, but replays confirmed there was no contact. Dogra, however, was visibly discomforted. The physio was called in more than once to apply an ice pack, and eventually the skipper walked off after a signal from coach Ajay Sharma, paving the way for Samad’s arrival.
There was no dip in momentum thereafter. Pundir and Samad batted with authority, rotating strike smartly and punishing loose deliveries. J&K’s leading run-scorer this season blended caution with aggression, choosing his moments carefully. Whenever he attacked, he followed up with further scoring strokes, ensuring Karnataka’s bowlers had no respite.
Karnataka’s pacers continued to plug away and beat the outside edge on multiple occasions, but the lack of sustained movement meant chances were limited. The spinners struggled to contain the flow of runs and went wicketless. Only Prasidh stood out, finishing the day with two wickets.
At 284 for two, with Pundir and Samad well set and Dogra expected to resume if fit, Jammu and Kashmir are strongly placed to push towards a commanding first-innings total. Karnataka, meanwhile, will require a far sharper effort in the morning session to claw their way back into the contest.
