NEW DELHI: Skipper Paras Dogra struck a gritty 70 but his deliberate head butt on Karnataka substitute KV Aneesh overshadowed an otherwise strong batting display by Jammu and Kashmir cricket team, who finished day two of the Ranji Trophy final at 527 for 6.

Dogra, along with wicketkeeper batter Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70) and Sahil Lotra (57 batting), made valuable contributions as Karnataka’s bowlers toiled hard. Apart from Prasidh Krishna (3/90 in 29 overs), the attack struggled to make inroads.

However, it was Dogra’s conduct that grabbed attention. Cameras caught the veteran head butting Aneesh at silly point after edging a boundary off Prasidh that had squared him up.

It remains unclear whether something was said that provoked Dogra, but he confronted Aneesh and made contact with his helmet. Senior Karnataka player Mayank Agarwal quickly stepped in to separate the two.

An animated Agarwal was seen exchanging words with Dogra as on field umpires Rohan Pandit and Ulhas Gandhe intervened. Karnataka skipper Devdutt Padikkal was also spotted speaking to the officials, reportedly voicing his displeasure.

Given the physical nature of the altercation, Dogra could face action from BCCI match referee Narayan Kutty.

Solid partnerships power J&K

The day had begun on a positive note for Karnataka when overnight centurion Shubham Pundir (121 off 247 balls) was dismissed early.

Pundir flicked medium pacer Vidyadhar Patil (1/104) straight to substitute Aneesh, ending a fine 124 run stand. His innings featured 12 fours and two sixes.

Abdul Samad (61), who had also reached a half century on day one, edged Prasidh after the ball moved just enough off the surface.

At 307 for 4, when Karnataka sensed an opportunity, Dogra and Wadhawan stitched together a crucial 110 run stand across 32 overs.

Prasidh, operating with pace and aggression with the semi new ball, tested both batters with sharp bounce. Though beaten at times and struck behind square, they showed composure to avoid gifting their wickets.

They scored steadily rather than briskly and managed the spinners well once leg spinner Shreyas Gopal (1/130 in 33 overs) and left arm spinner Shikhar Shetty (1/112 in 32 overs) came into play.

Dogra’s 166 ball effort included eight boundaries while Wadhawan’s 109 ball knock had nine fours.

After Wadhawan was caught in the slips by KL Rahul off Shetty, Dogra added another 54 runs with Lotra, who brought up his fifty as well.

Karnataka eye late breakthrough

With four overs left before the third new ball became available, Karnataka will aim to restrict Jammu and Kashmir below 600.

They will then rely on a batting unit packed with former and current Test players to respond strongly in what is shaping up as a one innings shootout.

(With PTI Inputs)