Hubli: Shubham Pundir etched his name into Jammu and Kashmir’s cricketing history with a sublime unbeaten century as his side finished the opening day of the Ranji Trophy final on a commanding 284/2 against eight-time champions Karnataka at the Hubli Cricket Ground.
The 27-year-old right-hander compiled a composed 117 not out, becoming the first Jammu and Kashmir batter to score a hundred in a Ranji Trophy final. His knock, marked by patience and timely aggression, anchored the innings and ensured his team seized early control of the summit clash.
After electing to bat, Jammu and Kashmir made a steady start against a probing new-ball spell. Openers Qamran Iqbal and Yawer Hassan showed discipline before Prasidh Krishna provided the breakthrough, removing Iqbal for six. The pacer extracted extra bounce, inducing an edge that was safely pouched at second slip by KL Rahul.
Pundir then joined Yawer at the crease, and the duo rebuilt confidently. By lunch, Jammu and Kashmir had progressed to 104/1. Yawer played fluently for his 88, mixing caution with crisp strokeplay as the pair added a crucial century stand in the post-lunch session. Their partnership blunted Karnataka’s attack and laid a strong platform.
Yawer’s dismissal before tea gave Karnataka a brief opening, but Pundir remained resolute. Paras Dogra’s resistance was cut short when he retired hurt on nine after being struck by a sharp bouncer from Vijaykumar Vyshak.
Any hopes of a Karnataka comeback were quickly dashed by Abdul Samad.
The aggressive right-hander shifted momentum decisively, hammering three consecutive boundaries in the 69th over to push the hosts onto the back foot.
With Pundir unbeaten and Samad providing able support, Jammu and Kashmir built steadily in the final session, closing a dominant first day on 284/2 — firmly in control of their maiden Ranji Trophy final appearance.
Source: News 18
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