Hubballi: Jammu and Kashmir continued their dominant batting display to reach 527 for six at stumps on Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy Final against Karnataka at Hubballi, putting themselves in a strong position in the title clash.
Paras Dogra anchored the innings with a composed knock, while Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70) and Sahil Lotra (57)* chipped in with vital contributions. Karnataka bowlers found the conditions tough, with Prasidh Krishna (3/90 in 29 overs) being the lone standout performer.
With the pitch offering minimal assistance to bowlers and J&K expected to bat well into Day 3, concerns are rising over whether Karnataka will get enough time to complete their first innings — a scenario that could significantly impact the championship outcome.
What Happens If There Is No First-Innings Lead?
As per BCCI playing conditions for the Ranji Trophy, if neither team secures a first-innings lead in a knockout match, the winner is decided based on pre-defined tie-breaker criteria.
Ranji Trophy Final Tiebreak Rules Explained
If the match ends without an outright result or a first-innings lead, the champion will be determined using the following criteria:
Team with more league-stage points
Team with more bonus points
Team with more outright wins
Head-to-head result (if applicable)
Higher run quotient
Coin toss (not applicable for finals)
For Ranji Trophy Finals, if criteria 1–5 fail to separate the teams, both sides are declared joint winners.
Why Karnataka Hold the Advantage
In the current scenario, if Karnataka fail to obtain a first-innings lead but the match ends without a clear result, Karnataka will be declared champions due to their higher league-stage points (27) compared to Jammu and Kashmir’s 24.
This gives Karnataka a crucial edge despite J&K’s dominant batting display.
All Eyes on Day 3
With the pitch remaining batting-friendly and J&K firmly in control, the match is delicately poised. Karnataka must strike early to stay alive in the contest, while J&K will aim to bat long and force the game into a decisive phase.
