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J&K Dominate Ranji Final, Karnataka Face Uphill Battle on Day 3

Jammu and Kashmir have taken a commanding position in the Ranji Trophy final, posting a massive first-innings total of 584. Karnataka, in response, ended Day 3 at 220/5, still trailing by a daunting 364 runs. Mayank Agarwal provided the lone resistance for the eight-time champions with an unbeaten century. The match is firmly in the hands of the first-time finalists heading into the fourth day.

Key Points: Ranji Trophy Final: J&K Command Lead vs Karnataka

  • J&K post massive 584 in first innings
  • Shubham Pundir scores 121
  • Karnataka trail by 364 runs
  • Mayank Agarwal fights with unbeaten 130
2 min read

J&K tighten grip on Ranji Trophy final, Karnataka trail by 364 runs

J&K post 584 in Ranji final. Karnataka trail by 364 runs. Mayank Agarwal's ton fights back. Get Day 3 highlights and scorecard.

"Mayank Agarwal's unbeaten 130... has taken Karnataka to 220/5 - Match Report"

Hubballi, February 26

First-time finalists Jammu and Kashmir are in a commanding position against eight-time champions Karnataka at stumps on Day 3 of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 final at the KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground on Thursday.

In the first innings, Jammu and Kashmir amassed 584 in 173.1 overs. The innings was headlined by Shubham Pundir, who played a fantastic knock of 121 off 247 balls, with 12 fours and two sixes.

Opener Yawer Hassan fell short of his well-deserved century after he was dismissed for 88 off 150 balls, with 13 fours. Shubham Pundir and Yawer Hassan stitched a 139-run partnership for the second wicket.

Apart from the duo, captain Paras Dogra (70 off 166 balls, with eight fours), Abdul Samad (61 off 104 balls, with six fours and one six), wicketkeeper-batter Kanhaiyan Wadhawan (70 off 109 balls, with nine fours), Sahil Lotra (72 off 138 balls, with eight fours) struck crucial half-centurues as Jammu and Kashmir post a commandings score in the first innings.

For Karnataka, speedster Prasidh Krishna scalped a five-wicket haul. He registered the figures of 5/98 in 34.1 overs. Apart from him, Vidyadhar Patil (1/116), Vijaykumar Vyshak (1/75), Shreyas Gopal (1/139), and Shikhar Shetty (1/125) scalped one wicket apiece.

In response, Mayank Agarwal's unbeaten 130 off 207 balls, with 17 fours, has taken Karnataka to 220/5 in 69 overs at stumps on Day 3. KL Rahul (13 off 39 balls, with two fours), captain Devdutt Padikkal (11 off 10 balls, with two fours), Karun Nair (0), Smaran Ravichandran (0), Shreyas Gopal (27 off 83 balls, with one four) couldn't convert their start.

Earlier in the match, Jammu and Kashmir posted 284/2 on Day 1, with Shubham Pundir scoring a century and Yawer Hassan making 88 runs. On Day 2, the Jammu and Kashmir batters continued their dominance as they took their side's total to 527/6, before the umpires called stumps due to bad light.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As a Karnataka fan, this is painful to watch. 220/5 trailing by 364 runs? Only Mayank Agarwal is showing some fight. Our batting lineup with Rahul, Padikkal, and Nair has completely collapsed. Need a miracle now.
V
Vikram M
This is the beauty of Ranji Trophy! A new team rising against an established giant. J&K's batting depth is incredible – six batters with 50+ scores. Their cricket infrastructure has improved so much. Well done!
R
Rohit P
Prasidh Krishna's 5-wicket haul in such a high-scoring innings is the only silver lining for Karnataka. Bowling 34 overs and taking 5/98 on a flat track shows real character. The rest of the bowling was too expensive though.
S
Sarah B
Following from the US! Amazing to see Jammu & Kashmir, a region we often hear about in different contexts, dominating in sports. This is positive news. Hope they can finish the job. The partnership between Pundir and Hassan was crucial.
N
Nikhil C
With all due respect to J&K's fantastic play, the Karnataka team selection and approach seem off. Why is the batting so fragile? Karun Nair out for a duck? This needs a serious review by the state association, regardless of the result.
M

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