WATCH - Ranji Trophy final turns into battlefield: J&K captain headbutts Karnataka fielder, Agarwal intervenes, Rahul hurls mouthful

With Ranji Trophy 2025-26 title on stake, tempers flared on Day 2 of the clash between Karnataka and Jammu & Kashmir. The first-time finalists Jammu & Kashmir captain Paras Dogra lost his temper in response to sledges from Karnataka’s close-in fielders. The banter turned sour when Dogra head-butted substitute fielder KV Aneesh. 

The incident took place in the 101st over of J&K's innings. Aneesh was fielding at short leg. Dogra edged one off pacer Prasidh Krishna and the ball went to the boundary. The skipper was having a word with his teammate Kanhaiya Wadhawan while Aneesh continued to sledge. It irked the skipper as he walked out to the Karnataka youngster, headbutting him. Soon, Karnataka's senior player Mayank Agarwal and the on-field umpires intervened.

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However, Dogra realised that he crossed the line with physical altercation. He apologised to Aneesh but the apology didn't please the latter. Then, Agarwal and KL Rahul didn't hold back and continued to sledge the 41-year-old. 

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A few overs later, Karnataka pacer Vijaykumar Vyshak and Wadhawan had a shoulder brush between them. It led to umpire Rohan Pandit having a word with Wadhawan. The J&K batter smiled it off. The hostility continued in the first session as Dogra and Wadhawan looked to fend off Karnataka bowlers at KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground.

Dogra rattled by Krishna’s bouncer

Earlier, on Day 1, Dogra was hit on the helmet by Krishna's nasty bouncer. He got medical attention on the ground and continued to play. Later, he had to retire himself as a precautionary measure after coach Ajay Sharma's instructions from the dressing room.

Krishna strikes but J&K in control 

At the end of Day 1's play, J&K were 284/2. Abdul Samad scored 61 runs from 104 balls before falling to Krishna on Day 2. Before him, top-order batter Shubham Pundir scored 121 runs from 247 deliveries. Pundir had shared a 139-run partnership for the second wicket with opener Yaware Hassan who scored 88 runs from 150 deliveries. After Pundir's wicket, Dogra walked out to bat. He and Wadhawan look to post a big total on the board as Hassan said after the completion of Day 1's play.

At the lunch break, J&K were 380/4 from 120 overs. Dogra survived the barrage of bouncers and remained not out for 36 off 112 balls. On the other end, Wadhawan is nearing his half-century, He scored 45 runs from 71 balls.