Ranji Trophy Final: Ton-up Pundir, Hassan help Jammu & Kashmir dominate Karnataka on Day 1

The Jammu and Kashmir dressing room this season has had a revolving door of stars. On day one of its maiden Ranji Trophy final, versus Karnataka at the KSCA Rajnagar Stadium in Hubballi on Tuesday, it found two more entrants in opener Yawer Hassan and one drop Shubham Pundir.

Hassan, 22, had totalled just 61 runs from eight innings coming into this all-important contest. Pundir, 27, had fared better with 205 runs—including one solitary knock of 165—from five visits to the crease.

But Hassan made a fine 88 (150b, 13×4) before Pundir scored his fourth First-Class century (117 batting, 221b, 12×4, 2×6) to help the visitors reach a more-than-healthy 284 for two. At stumps, Pundir had the free-stroking Abdul Samad (52 batting, 67b, 5×4, 1×6) standing vigil alongside.

Karnataka vs Jammu & Kashmir Ranji Trophy HIGHLIGHTS, Day 1

J&K lost the seasoned Shubham Khajuria and young all-rounder Vanshaj Sharma to injuries prior to the match. Skipper Paras Dogra retired hurt after speedsters Prasidh Krishna and V. Vyshak roughed him up on the neck and right hand, respectively. In that context, Hassan’s and Pundir’s efforts came like a godsend.

It was, admittedly, a good batting surface and Dogra called it right at the toss. It also helped that despite possessing a formidable attack that was cheered on by a nearly 5000-strong, ticketed crowd, Karnataka used the red cherry well only in patches.

On a pitch where there was good bounce and the occasional off-the-seam movement, Prasidh and Vyshak threatened from time to time. But Hassan and Pundir displayed admirable mettle, and interspersed it with bursts of attacking mojo.

Shreyas Gopal (17-1-79-0) and Vidyadhar Patil (16-0-66-0) were the outlets as the Jammu and Kashmir duo combined for 139 runs after Qamran Iqbal fell early, caught by KL Rahul at second slip off Prasidh.

Pundir was also reprieved on 53 when wicket-keeper Kruthik Krishna missed a stumping off left-arm spinner Shikhar Shetty. As if to rub salt on the wound, Pundir creamed the next ball through cover for four.

Prasidh ended the association by excising Hassan, 12 runs short of a deserved century, with Rahul completing another fine catch. That marked the start of a period of sustained pressure as Karnataka didn’t allow a boundary for nearly 10 overs.

But the closest it came to taking a wicket was when substitute K.V. Aneesh dropped Dogra at gully off Vyshak. Dogra did leave the field injured, but an unruffled Pundir completed his hundred by hitting Shikhar for a fierce six over deep mid-wicket.

If Karnataka does not pull up its socks, Wednesday can be damaging.

Published on Feb 24, 2026