Ranji final heats up on Day 2, J&K captain Dogra headbutts Karnataka fielder

Paras Dogra, 41, charged at K.V. Aneesh in 101st Over after reported sledging; Karnataka camp rejects his immediate apology as verbal spat erupts.

J&K captain Paras Dogra headbutted Karnataka substitute fielder K.V. Aneesh on Day 2 of Ranji Trophy final Wednesday | By special arrangement

Hubballi: The Ranji Trophy final between Jammu & Kashmir and Karnataka turned dramatic on Day 2 when J&K captain Paras Dogra headbutted Karnataka substitute fielder K.V. Aneesh at the Hubballi stadium Wednesday.

The flashpoint arrived in the 101st over of J&K’s innings. Dogra had just edged a Prasidh Krishna delivery to the boundary when words were exchanged between the 41-year-old and Aneesh, stationed at forward short leg.

Dogra, building a partnership with Kanhaiya Wadhawan at the time, is believed to have been subjected to sustained sledging by Aneesh before he snapped—charging at the Karnataka fielder and headbutting him with his helmet.

Karnataka’s Mayank Agarwal stepped in to separate the two before the umpires intervened. Though Dogra apologised immediately, the Karnataka camp was in no mood to let it pass. Aneesh, Agarwal and K.L. Rahul rounded on the J&K skipper with a volley of verbal exchanges.

Was that really needed from Paras Dogra? Good on Mayank for stepping in, and Aneesh taking it well. #RanjiFinal #Ranjitrophyfinal pic.twitter.com/XBAVeQXaAE

— Cricket by JB (@cricketByJB) February 25, 2026

Jammu and Kashmir’s captain Paras Dogra (left) and Kanhaiya Wadhawan during the second day of the Ranji Trophy final at the KSCA Cricket Stadium in Hubballi | PTI

Aneesh, 24, is a Bengaluru-born cricketer who made his first-class debut in January 2024. Dogra comes from Himachal Pradesh and has previously represented both the state and Puducherry in domestic cricket. He was invited to lead J&K in 2024 by BCCI president Mithun Manhas, who was then overseeing the administration of the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA).

On Day 1, a Vyshak Vijaykumar bouncer struck Dogra’s glove and forced him to retire hurt on 9 off 48 balls. A Krishna delivery had also hit him on the shoulder.

Shortly after the Dogra spat on Day 2, Vijaykumar and Wadhawan clashed as the J&K batter’s left elbow brushed past the pacer while completing a single. The two squared up before the umpire and a Karnataka teammate pushed Vijaykumar away.

From the non-striker’s end, Dogra watched with a wry smile.

(Edited by Prerna Madan)