We will be sticking to the basics like we have done before: Dogra

: The first six questions in Monday’s captains’ media briefing ahead of the Ranji Trophy final between Karnataka and Jammu & Kashmir were all addressed to the home skipper Devdutt Padikkal.

J & K captain Paras Dogra sat quietly but all the time displaying a quiet confidence. In a way, it was representative of his outfit’s season — unfancied, unheralded but with a proud seat at Indian cricket’s high table.

“We are relaxed and there is not too much tension,” the 41-year-old declared on the eve of his side’s maiden Ranji summit clash. “It is a very big thing to play the final and we are trying to be calm and composed. We will be sticking to the basics like we have done before.”

One of the stand-out features of J & K’s journey this edition has been the outright victories it has registered against five former champions in Delhi, Hyderabad, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Bengal. Facing another big team, replete with stars, doesn’t appear to faze its players.

“We have beaten sides in their homes [Delhi, MP and Bengal] and that gives us a big boost,” Dogra said. “We have played star-studded teams before. We have good skill level and a good batting line-up. So, we are confident.”