Veteran Paras Dogra Stands Tall with Pivotal Kotla Century
On a day when the Feroz Shah Kotla grounds hosted several dignitaries from the cricketing world, it was Jammu & Kashmir's seasoned skipper, Paras Dogra, who commanded the spotlight with a resolute century. His 33rd Ranji Trophy hundred was the cornerstone of his team's fightback, steering them to a total of 310 and a significant 99-run first-innings lead over a struggling Delhi side on Day Two of their Group Stage encounter on Sunday, November 9, 2025.
A Rescue Act in Front of Familiar Faces
The setting was far from ordinary for a group-stage fixture. Newly-elected BCCI president Mithun Manhas was present at his former home ground for a felicitation, alongside his ex-teammate Rajat Bhatia on commentary duties and national selector RP Singh. In front of these domestic cricket stalwarts, the 40-year-old Dogra produced a classic rescue mission. Walking in late on Saturday with his team in a precarious position after losing three wickets, Dogra's resolve was further tested on Day Two with an early, avoidable run-out adding to the pressure.
Dogra, however, remained unflappable. He expertly dropped anchor, weathering the dangerous spells before capitalizing as conditions eased for batting. His magnificent 183-ball 106 was the bedrock of a 139-run partnership with the aggressive Abdul Samad, who contributed a brisk 85. This stand propelled J&K from a position of vulnerability to one of strength.
Solidifying a Domestic Legacy
This innings further cements Paras Dogra's status as one of the most prolific run-scorers in the history of the Ranji Trophy. He is now just 100 runs away from the monumental 10,000-run mark, a club where only the legendary Wasim Jaffer stands ahead of him. Jaffer is also the only batter with more centuries (40) than Dogra's 33.
Despite these staggering numbers, Dogra's career exemplifies the often-unseen brilliance of domestic cricket stalwarts. A journeyman who spent 15 years with Himachal Pradesh before stints with Puducherry and now J&K, he believes not playing for a high-profile team has impacted his recognition. While there is a hint of wistfulness for never breaking into the international arena, his hunger for the game remains undimmed. He attributes his longevity to an obsession with the routine—waking up, training, and practicing with the mindset of a youngster, finding joy in the very act of playing.
J&K's innings eventually concluded at 310, with Delhi pacer Simarjeet Singh being the pick of the bowlers with figures of 6/52. Dogra's dismissal at the stroke of tea, after being dropped twice during his knock, triggered a lower-order collapse. At stumps, Delhi were 7/0 in their second innings, still trailing by 92 runs.
With a healthy lead and their inspirational leader in fine form, Jammu & Kashmir are in a strong position to secure another victory over a more established team and potentially secure a quarterfinal berth, adding another feather to the cap of their unwavering veteran captain.
