Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Paras Dogra leads from front, J&K secure crucial first-innings lead over Delhi

Srinagar, Nov 9: Jammu and Kashmir cricket team skipper Paras Dogra produced a captain’s knock, striking a composed 106 off 183 balls, while Abdul Samad played a fluent 85 to guide Jammu & Kashmir to a vital first-innings total of 310, giving the visitors a lead of 99 runs against Delhi on the second day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi

By stumps, Delhi were 7 without loss in two overs, still trailing by 92 runs, with openers Arpit Rana (2)* and Sanat Sangwan (5)* at the crease.

Resuming the day on a shaky 31 for 3, J&K were in need of a solid partnership, and Dogra and Samad delivered exactly that. The pair stitched together a 141-run stand for the fifth wicket, rescuing their side from early trouble. Dogra’s innings was a masterclass in patience and shot selection, marked by 11 boundaries, while Samad played with characteristic aggression, finding the fence twelve times and clearing it once.

Later in the innings, Kanhaiya Wadhawan (47) offered crucial lower-order support as J&K pushed past the 300-run mark before being bowled out in 91.1 overs.

For Delhi, Simarjeet Singh was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 6 for 52, while Money Grewal (1/60), Manan Bhardwaj (1/90), and Hritik Shokeen (1/67) provided support but struggled to make breakthroughs against the Dogra-Samad partnership.

With a healthy lead in hand, all eyes will now turn to Auqib Nabi, who rattled Delhi with a five-wicket haul in the first innings. As the match enters Day 3, much will depend on whether J&K’s pace spearhead can continue his golden run and tilt the game decisively in the visitors’ favour.

Meanwhile, as per the cricket observers in Kashmir, the pitch has shown signs of variable bounce, suggesting that the third day could be crucial in determining whether Delhi can fight back or J&K can tighten their grip for an outright win.