Ranji Trophy 2025-26—Day 2: Dogra, Yudhvir keep J&K in contest at SK Stadium in Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct 16: The second day of the Ranji Trophy 2025–26 clash between Jammu and Kashmir and Mumbai at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium saw fortunes swing both ways, as Yudhvir Singh’s incisive bowling helped J&K wrap up Mumbai’s innings for 386 before skipper Paras Dogra’s composed century anchored a spirited response from the hosts.

Resuming on 336 for 5, Mumbai added 50 runs for their last five wickets, with Shams Mulani extending his fine form before falling for a patient 91 off 161 balls. His knock, laced with nine boundaries, provided Mumbai with much-needed stability on a surface offering assistance to seamers in the first hour.

Yudhvir Singh was the pick of the bowlers for J&K, striking thrice in the morning session to dismiss Mulani and captain Shardul Thakur. He ended with impressive figures of 5 for 96, maintaining his rhythm and control throughout. Auqib Nabi (2/54) and Abid Mushtaq (1/73) provided valuable support.

In reply, J&K got off to a wobbly start, losing openers Shubham Khajuria and Musaif Ajaz early to the pace of Shardul Thakur and Tushar Deshpande. At 2 for 2, the hosts looked in trouble, but the experienced duo of Qamran Iqbal (23) and captain Paras Dogra steadied the innings with a 30-run stand.

Dogra, who walked in with composure, displayed his trademark patience and precision, first rebuilding the innings and then counterattacking against the spinners. He found a steady partner in Abdul Samad (44 off 69), and together they stitched a crucial 94-run partnership that lifted J&K out of early danger.

Dogra’s innings was a masterclass in temperament. Mixing caution with aggression, he continued to rotate the strike fluently. His on-drives and late cuts were a treat for the home crowd, which turned up in good numbers for the second consecutive day.

Even after losing Samad and Kanhaiya Wadhawan (15), Dogra continued to anchor the innings with lower-order support. Abid Mushtaq (40 off 57) and Auqib Nabi (15* off 22) provided useful contributions as J&K reached 273 for 7 at stumps, trailing by 113 runs. Dogra remained unbeaten on a resolute 112 off 169 balls, holding firm as the pillar of J&K’s innings.

For Mumbai, Tushar Deshpande (2/34) and Tanush Kotian (2/53) were among the wickets, but the bowling attack struggled to find consistency after the early breakthroughs.

Meanwhile, with Dogra still at the crease and the tail capable of adding valuable runs, J&K will look to narrow the deficit further on Day 3. For Mumbai, early wickets on the third morning will be key to regaining control of a contest that remains delicately balanced.

Score summary:

Mumbai 1st innings:

386 all out (S. D. Lad 116, S. Mulani 91, S. N. Khan 42, Yudhvir Singh 5/96,

Auqib Nabi 2/54).

J&K 1st innings:

273/7 in 63 overs (P. K. Dogra 112*, A. Samad 44, A. Mushtaq 40, T. Deshpande 2/34, Tanush Kotian 2/53, S. Thakur 1/69, S. Mulani 1/65).