Hubballi: Karnataka’s trio of Prasidh Krishna, Vidhyadhar Patil and Vyshak Vijaykumar put the Jammu and Kashmir batsmen to the test in the first hour of the Ranji Trophy title clash on Tuesday. They moved fluidly and explored the beaten opener multiple times.
Qamran Iqbal (6) and Yawer Hassan (88) were living in danger, with the former coming in as a substitute for Shubham Khajuria, who was out due to lower back spasm, but in that session he bowled a long-on delivery at second slip, moving to KL Rahul.
Johnson & Johnson has since seized control. Riding on an unbeaten century from Shubham Pundir (117; 221b; 12×4; 2×6) and contributions from Hassan and the in-form Abdul Samad (52 wickets), the visitors ended the opening day with a crushing 284/2 in 87 overs at the KSCA Rajnagar Stadium.
Pundir joined Hassan in the 11th over and the two combined for a crucial 139-run partnership that decisively changed the momentum.
Hassan started cautiously before taking advantage of loose deliveries. A few half-volleys from Vishak freed him and drove to the boundary in succession. Pondil also fought back effectively, battling with Prasidh during his otherwise disciplined spell. The way they bat marked a clear shift from survival to dominance.
Karnataka’s cause was further damaged by blunders in this area. The organizers burned several unsuccessful reviews and leaked more than one opportunity at crucial moments. The introduction of spin brought little respite and Pondial swept the long-legged Shriyas Gopal in his first delivery.
As the partnership flourished, Karnataka was forced to go on the defensive. The layout of the field is spread out and it is difficult for the bowlers to maintain a consistent length, which often provides opportunities for the batsmen to score runs. Hasan scored his first-class fifty off 77 balls and chipped a late-point boundary at the last minute. His innings included ten boundaries, many of them classic knocks.
The post-lunch session highlighted Karnataka’s inconsistency, particularly their length, and wicketkeeper Krutik Krishna missed a fine chance from Pondil to add to the home side’s frustration.
Prasidh was the most efficient of the bowlers and ended up breaking the stands with a long-on delivery which Hasan pushed to Rahul at slip.
J&K skipper Paras Dogra had a painful outing. He was hit in the neck by a Pracid bouncer and continued moving after receiving treatment but appeared to be in discomfort. Replacement fielder KV Aneesh then dropped him off Vyshak before Dogra was hit again, this time forcing him to retire injured.
From that point on, Abdul Samad and Pandir accelerated their advance. The duo punished the spinners in the final over, with Pundir stepping up to hit Shikhar Shetty over deep midwicket for a six to hit his fourth first-class century.
J&K seized the initiative through stumps, with Pondil and Samad promising more runs on a day that belonged to the visitors.
While Karnataka’s squad remains unchanged, J&K were forced to make two changes with Vanshaj Sharma joining Khajuria’s squad.
scoreboard
Jammu and Kashmir (first innings): Qamran Iqbal c Rahul b Prasidh 6, Yawer Hassan c Rahul b Prasidh 88, Shubham Pundir (batting) 117, Paras Dogra (injured) 9, Abdul Samad (batting) 52. Extra (W-2, B-2, LB-8) 12. Total: (2 weeks, 87 rounds) 284.
The wicket fell: 1-18, 2-157
bowling: Vidyadhar Patil 16-0-66-0, Vishak Vijaykumar 18-6-25-0, Prasidh Krishna 16-5-36-2, Shreyas Gopal 17-1-79-0, Shikhar Shetty 20-0-68-0.
