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‘We just have to be stubborn’: Paras Dogra’s 24-year wait finds meaning as J&K reach historic Ranji Trophy final

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A long domestic career and years of persistence came together for Paras Dogra as he led Jammu and Kashmir cricket team into their first-ever Ranji Trophy final with a six-wicket win over Bengal on Wednesday.

“Cricket tests you far more than it rewards you,” he said, as cited by news agency PTI, after guiding the team to its first Ranji final following a 67-year wait.

“We just have to be stubborn,” he added.

The 41-year-old captain’s words reflected not just the match but a long career built over many seasons, during which he helped change a side long seen as underdogs.

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Dogra began his domestic career with the Himachal Pradesh cricket team in 2001. He later played for the Pondicherry cricket team from the 2018-19 season to 2023-24 before joining Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Since his debut in 2001, he has scored 10,517 runs in 152 first-class matches at an average above 48, including 34 centuries and 36 half-centuries, with a highest score of 253.

A former India A batter, he also played unofficial Tests against the West Indies A in 2013. Over the years, he has remained among domestic cricket’s consistent run-scorers.

At Jammu and Kashmir, he joined a dressing room looking for belief, and this season that belief led to a place in the final.

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“We have to keep going. So, God has written that we will play in the final,” he said after the team reached the title clash, ending a wait that goes back to their debut in 1959-60.

During the semifinal, Dogra also became only the second batter after Wasim Jaffer to cross 10,000 Ranji Trophy runs.

“Kabhi socha nahin tha (never thought I will get to this milestone). Khelna pasand hai, baaki uparwala ne 10,000 run bana diya (I just love playing and by the grace of God I could make 10,000), so I’m really very happy,” he said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

He called the milestone special but said the team’s goal remained more important. He also thanked teammates and support staff for backing him late in his career.

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“Thank you very much for that. It felt good. I never thought I would do this. But I love this game. I just like to play.

“Definitely, I am very happy and I am also very happy that I got to play with such amazing guys. The coaching staff. The management. They are supporting me in everything.

“So, I think we have been talking about it from the first day, so, hopefully we will do it.”

Jammu and Kashmir had given away a 26-run first-innings lead after being bowled out for 302, but Dogra said the team stayed calm.

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“There was still two-and-a-half-days game was left so the lead of 26 runs doesn’t matter that much.

“Because it was a five-day game. So, we were still positive. That we will chase as many runs as possible. But we were not expecting that Bengal will fold so quickly.”

Asked whether the result had sunk in, he said: “Yes, it has sunk in, we were in a good position. So, yes, definitely.”

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Kai Rooney and Man United team-mates respond to new deal announcement for starlet

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The Manchester United youngster was among several to send their messages of support after a new deal was announced for Jaydan Kamason

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Kai Rooney was among the Manchester United starlets to send their messages of support to youngster Jaydan Kamason after he signed a new contract until the summer of 2028, with the option of a further year. Last season, the full-back was part of a strong Under-18 squad and was included on the bench under Ruben Amorim in both the home and away matches of the Europa League quarter-final and semi-final.

The 19-year-old has missed parts of the current campaign through injury, but has still managed 15 appearances for the Under-21s. United signed Kamason from grassroots outfit Stockport Vikings for the Emerging Talent Programme (ETP) aged 10 and became the first player from that scheme to put pen to paper on a professional deal with the club.

After signing a new deal, Kamson took to social media and said: “Proud moment for me and family to sign a new long-term contract at this special club. We thank God and keep pushing. More to come, just a matter of timing.”

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Several Manchester United youth stars were quick to off their support, with Kai Rooney attaching a video of a man applauding.

Jack Fletcher responded with a fire emoji, while his brother Tyler Fletcher sent a red loveheart emoji. Fellow United prospect Chido Obi commented with a laughing and flames emoji.

Jacob Devaney and Habeeb Ogunneye both commented: “Congrats bro [loveheart emoji].”

Fomer Man United youngster Joe Hugill commented: “Nice u [applauding emoji].”

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U21s head coach Adam Lawrence heaped praise on Kamason after his goal against Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup last season. He said: “Jaydan has been in real good form of late, so he’s in that position where he’s put in some real strong and consistent performances, as you’d expect from a second year U18 player here.

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“He’s in a real good space. He’s such a fantastic kid, he’s got real good athleticism and he likes to get forward on the outside. And listen, he’ll be watching that goal back for a while.

“He’s always been a full-back that has liked to get forward and he can wear people down, he’s wiry, he’s very athletic and can get on top of people and really impact the game in the final third.

“We’re really excited about him and think that he has real big potential, but he’s a humble kid and he’ll know he needs to get better and that he’s got things to work on.”

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“I was really hurt” – Stefanos Tsitsipas extends drama with ex-coach Goran Ivanisevic after brutal criticism

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Stefanos Tsitsipas recently reacted to the brutal criticism that has been meted out to him by his ex-coach Goran Ivanisevic. Responding to the Croatian, the World No.49 stated that he had been ‘really hurt’ by his comments.

Tsitsipas and Ivanisevic began working together in May 2025, after the Greek star fired his father. However, their partnership was short lived and they parted ways only two months later after a series of uninspiring results. After their split, Ivanisevic publicly criticised Tsitsipas, telling SportKlub

“He has to find a solution for his back issue. I was shocked. I’ve never seen such a poorly prepared player in my life. Me, at my age and with this bad knee, I’m three times in better shape than him.”

More recently, Ivanisevic doubled down on his criticisms about Stefanos Tsitsipas. Reacting to the Croatian’s harsh words, the former World No.3 told The Times,

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“If it was a way of him pushing me into working harder and getting my s— together, it was definitely not the right tactic. I was really hurt. I never expected that a coach could do that to me, and the worst thing is what he said was not true. I was not fit because I had been injured. I hadn’t been practising properly for over two weeks. It was like he kicked me when I was already down.”

Since parting ways with Goran Ivanisevic, Tsitsipas has paired up with his father Apostolos once again.

Stefanos Tsitsipas set to begin Monte-Carlo Masters campaign against Francisco Cerundolo

Tsitsipas at the <a href='https://www.sportskeeda.com/go/miami-open-wta' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'>Miami Open</a> (Image Source: Getty)Tsitsipas at the <a href='https://www.sportskeeda.com/go/miami-open-wta' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'>Miami Open</a> (Image Source: Getty)
Tsitsipas at the Miami Open (Image Source: Getty)

Stefanos Tsitsipas spent the latter half of his 2025 season on the bench as he struggled with a back injury. The Greek star returned to action earlier this year with the Adelaide International, but he has failed to string together consistent wins.

His best result this season has been a quarterfinals finish he accomplished at the Qatar Open. Except for that impressive outing in Doha and a round of 32 appearance at the Miami Open, the 27-year-old has failed to move past the second round in any tournament, including the Australian Open and Indian Wells.

Now, Stefanos Tsitsipas is scheduled to kick off his clay season at the Monte-Carlo Masters. The event takes place between April 5 and April 13 at the Monte-Carlo Country Club and promises some exciting tennis action. Tsitsipas will begin his campaign at the ATP 1000 event against 16th seed Francisco Cerundolo.