After a wait of 67 years, Jammu and Kashmir created a history by lifting the Ranji Trophy title for the first time in their history defeating Karnataka via first innings lead in the finals today.Jammu and Kashmir made their first appearance in the Ranji Trophy in the 1959-60 season.
“They’ve done it. Well done J&K”, remarked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who was present in the stadium to cheer the home team.
After opting to bat, J&K posted a mammoth 584 in their first innings, led by Shubham Pundir’s century (121). With the ball, J&K bowled out Karnataka for 293, thanks largely to pace spearhead Auqib Nabi’s excellent five-wicket haul, taking the decisive first innings lead. Veteran Mayank Agarwal slammed a superb century (160), in what was Karnataka’s only innings of note. The subsequent lead of 291 was then extended to 633 in the second innings by J&K as Qamran Iqbal and Sahil Lotra slammed hundreds. The match ended in a draw on Day 5, with J&K winning due to their first innings lead.
J&K’s pace spearhead Auqib Nabi wins the ‘Player of the Series’ award. No doubt that he is the breakthrough player of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season. 60 wickets in 10 matches, 7 fifers at an average of 12.56! An India debut is surely knocking on the door.
Shubham Pundir slammed a century in the first innings. Qamran Iqbal smashed 160 in the second innings. Sahil Lotra made 72 in the first innings, 101 in the second. Captain Paras Dogra, Abdul Samad, Yawer Hassan and Kanhaiya Wadhawan hit half-centuries too. And what about their effort with the ball? Pace spearhead Auqib Nabi delivered another masterclass in the final, taking 5 wickets. Sunil Kumar and Yudhvir Singh took 2 each, while Abid Mushtaq was economical. A complete incredible victory, with several contributions, over 8-time champs Karnataka!