Srinagar, Oct 2: When Jammu and Kashmir were staring at a collapse at 37 for four against Rest of India in the Irani Cup, skipper Paras Dogra stood firm at one end, absorbing the pressure and holding the innings together with a fighting 75 off 143 balls at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium here on Friday.
In an innings that demanded patience, experience and composure, Dogra played the role of an anchor to perfection, ensuring J&K did not surrender their position after losing four early wickets in their first innings.
With the Rest of India bowlers exploiting the conditions and putting the hosts under pressure, Dogra resisted the temptation to play expansive shots. Instead, he concentrated on building partnerships, rotating the strike and making the opposition work hard for every breakthrough.
His 75 was the highest individual score for J&K and proved crucial in keeping the hosts in the contest. At a time when another quick succession of wickets could have left J&K facing a substantial deficit, the skipper provided the stability the innings desperately needed.
Dogra’s innings was built around discipline rather than flamboyance. Facing 143 deliveries, he absorbed the pressure, occupied the crease for a considerable period and gave the batters around him the opportunity to settle without having to rebuild the innings from scratch.
His contribution also laid the foundation for the lower order to make a meaningful impact. With Dogra holding one end, J&K were able to continue their fight and reduce the burden on the incoming batters, who could build on the platform rather than face the task of rescuing a collapsing innings.
The skipper’s resistance was particularly important in the context of the match, with J&K having bowled Rest of India out for 237 on the opening day. After losing two wickets before stumps on Thursday, the hosts needed a composed response to remain competitive.
Dogra’s knock provided precisely that. His ability to remain at the crease and absorb pressure demonstrated the value of experience in first-class cricket, particularly in a contest where partnerships and time at the crease can prove decisive.
For J&K, the captain’s innings was not merely about the runs on the scoreboard. It was about restoring composure, giving the innings direction and ensuring that the team had something to build on after a difficult start.
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