Jammu and Kashmir’s Ranji Trophy dreams are alive, thanks to their captain Paras Dogra, who played a stellar innings to help his team set Kerala a challenging target of 399 runs during the quarterfinal match held at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. Dogra’s impressive century, scoring 132 runs off 232 balls, featured 13 fours and 2 sixes, highlighting his leadership skills and ability to withstand the pressure of knockout cricket.
The match unfolded dramatically on February 12, 2025, as Jammu & Kashmir declared their innings at 399 for 9. This declaration came after Dogra had anchored the innings with significant partnerships, first scoring 146 runs for the fourth wicket alongside Kanhaiya Wadhawan, who contributed 64 runs, followed by 50 runs with Sahil Lotra, who added 59 runs to the total.
Kerala began their second innings with caution, finishing the day at 100 for 2, requiring 299 more runs to claim victory. Yudhvir Singh led Jammu & Kashmir's bowling attack, taking 2 wickets for 31 runs and proving instrumental early on as he dismissed Rohan Kunnummal for 36 runs and Shoun Roger for just 6 runs, leaving Kerala at 70 for 2.
The stakes are high as both teams know the significance of this match; Jammu & Kashmir’s bowlers aim to capitalize on the fifth-day pitch conditions, which could favor their aggressive bowling style. With Kerala needing to make history to chase down the target, the highest successful run chase recorded in the Ranji Trophy remains at 378, calling for heroic performances from the batsmen.
Earlier, tensions ran high as the Kerala team had to navigate through quality bowling from Jammu & Kashmir, particularly after establishing only a narrow 1-run lead from their first innings. Despite initial solid performances, the batting order faced immense pressure after the departure of key players. Captain Sachin Baby and Akshay Chandran remained at the crease for Kerala as their team fought to find stability during the tense situation.
At the heart of J&K’s effort is their captain Paras Dogra, who, with his experience of more than 10,000 domestic runs, adopts the role of mentor. Despite the pressure of the situation, Dogra stated, “I thank them for supporting me. Koi aur team mein hota toh ab tak out hota,” acknowledging the camaraderie developed within the squad as they support each other through scores and experiences.
Reflecting on the match, Dogra emphasized the importance of strategy over aggression. His calm leadership style inspires confidence among his bowlers, asserting, “It’s about bowlers bowling maidens, bowling in the right areas.” He believes strongly in the unit’s ability to take wickets when they are patient and work as per the game plan. Dogra’s unique approach has allowed him to connect deeply with the younger players, describing them as “good guys and good listeners.”
Looking forward to the final day of play, the match is finely poised. J&K’s bowlers, armed with the insight from their captain, will attempt to weave their spells, creating challenges for the Kerala batsmen who are now required to not only defend their position but also scramble for the runs necessary to claim victory. Dogra’s leadership will be pivotal as they seek to break through Kerala's middle-order defenses and secure themselves a spot in the semifinal, possibly against Gujarat, the tournament's other formidable side.
The intriguing nature of this quarterfinal highlights both the unpredictability of the format and the tenacity of two teams eager to advance to the next stage. The narrative promises thrilling cricket as generations of players come alive on the pitch, matching skill with strategy and culminating athletic prowess as the finishing line of the tournament looms.