February 28 marked a watershed moment for Jammu and Kashmir cricket as the side lifted its first-ever Ranji Trophy, ending decades of waiting with a commanding performance against Karnataka in the 2025–26 final at the KSCA Cricket Ground in Hubballi.
Having first appeared in the Ranji Trophy in the 1959–60 season, J&K finally captured India’s premier domestic title under the leadership of Paras Dogra. Although the match stretched into the fifth day, the decisive blow had already been delivered in the opening session of Day 4, when J&K secured a massive 291-run first-innings lead — a gap Karnataka never managed to bridge. In fact, Karnataka failed to claim a single session in the summit clash, underlining J&K’s control from start to finish.
A Final Few Predicted
In the build-up to the contest, most pundits had backed Karnataka, given the presence of established names such as KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Devdutt Padikkal and Prasidh Krishna. On paper, the southern powerhouse looked formidable. But as the final unfolded, it became evident that reputation alone counts for little in a five-day battle.
J&K set the tone immediately after Dogra won the toss and chose to bat on a surface expected to deteriorate later in the match. The decision proved inspired. The team piled up a mammoth 584 in the first innings, occupying the crease for nearly seven sessions and draining Karnataka’s bowling resources.
Shubham Pundir anchored the innings with a polished 121 at No. 3. He found valuable support from captain Dogra (70), Yawer Hassan (88), Abdul Samad (61), Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70) and Sahil Lotra (72), as contributions flowed through the lineup. Karnataka’s bowlers struggled for breakthroughs while tensions simmered between the sides, culminating in an incident where Dogra head-butted substitute fielder KV Avneesh. The 41-year-old later termed it a “heat of the moment” reaction and was fined 50% of his match fee.
Auqib Nabi Turns The Tide
If the batters laid the platform, pacer Auqib Nabi ensured the advantage became overwhelming. The leading wicket-taker of the 2025–26 season once again delivered when it mattered most.
On a pitch that did not appear particularly threatening, Nabi produced a spell of high-quality seam bowling to dismantle Karnataka’s top order. He dismissed KL Rahul for 13 before striking twice in consecutive deliveries to remove Karun Nair and Smaran Ravichandran, reducing Karnataka to 57/4.
Mayank Agarwal stood tall amid the collapse, crafting a valiant 160 to push Karnataka past 280. However, his lone resistance could not offset the damage inflicted by Nabi, who claimed his seventh five-wicket haul of the season. With 60 wickets in the tournament, he finished as the highest wicket-taker and became only the third pacer in Ranji Trophy history to reach the 60-wicket mark in a single season.
Sealing The Historic Triumph
Armed with a 291-run cushion, J&K tightened their grip in the second innings. Though Karnataka pacers Prasidh Krishna and Vijaykumar Vyshak struck early blows by removing Yawer Hassan and Pundir before lunch, Qamran Iqbal steadied the innings. Abdul Samad and Sahil Lotra then ensured the momentum remained firmly with J&K.
On the final day, centuries from Hassan and Lotra extinguished any lingering hope of a Karnataka comeback. With the contest slipping away, Karnataka even turned to part-time options, including Rahul, Nair and Agarwal, to roll their arms over — a clear sign the battle was effectively over.
J&K eventually declared at 341/4 in their second innings. With the outcome beyond doubt, officials brought proceedings to a close, and jubilant scenes followed as Dogra received the trophy. Players from both sides exchanged handshakes, marking the end of a one-sided final.
A Season To Remember
Jammu and Kashmir’s title run was built on consistency. The team lost just one match all season — the opener against Mumbai. In the knockout stages, they overcame heavyweights Madhya Pradesh in the quarter-final and Bengal in the semi-final to book their place in the final.
The magnitude of the achievement drew political attention as well. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah travelled to Hubballi to witness the historic occasion firsthand, expressing pride in the team’s journey to the summit clash.
From underdogs to champions, J&K’s Ranji Trophy triumph stands as one of the most memorable chapters in Indian domestic cricket — a testament to preparation, belief and collective resolve overcoming star power.
Also Read: J&K End 67-Year Wait, Reach Maiden Ranji Trophy Final https://www.vibesofindia.com/jk-end-67-year-wait-reach-maiden-ranji-trophy-final/
