Jammu and Kashmir captain Paras Dogra is likely to be fined 50 per cent of his match fee following an on-field altercation with Karnataka substitute fielder KV Aneesh during Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy final in Hubli. The incident injected rare drama into what had largely been a hard-fought, attritional contest.

Dogra, who had retired hurt on 9 on Day 1 before returning to bat, was rebuilding his innings when tempers flared. After edging a short delivery from Prasidh Krishna for four in the 101st over, he appeared to take exception to comments from the close-in fielders, with Aneesh at silly point involved in the exchange. In full view of the cameras, Dogra walked up and lightly headbutted Aneesh on the helmet, triggering immediate tension between the two sides.

Karnataka players, including Mayank Agarwal and captain Devdutt Padikkal, quickly intervened alongside the umpires to prevent the situation from escalating. While match referee Narayanan Kutty is yet to make an official announcement, Dogra is expected to face a financial penalty, with the incident widely regarded as a heat-of-the-moment reaction rather than deliberate misconduct.

Also Read: 'Makes you feel bulletproof': Rachin Ravindra hails Santner’s leadership in New Zealand’s big win

The flashpoint, however, did little to disrupt Jammu and Kashmir’s momentum. On Day 3, a resilient lower-order effort, highlighted by Sahil Lotra’s gritty 72 off 138 balls, powered the visitors to a formidable 584 all out.

Reflecting on the episode, Dogra downplayed the confrontation and shifted focus back to the game.

“I don’t get angry (hinting at the headbutt incident). It happens sometimes. I felt angry for a second but then I was fine. I always try to give my hundred per cent. I feel the surface can keep a bit low and there can be some turn as well. We have some good spinners too, so let’s see what happens,” he said at the start of Day 3.

While the altercation briefly fired up Karnataka’s close catchers, it was Jammu and Kashmir who ensured the Ranji Trophy final in Hubli remained finely poised.