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Jammu & Kashmir's Fairytale: Maiden Ranji Trophy Title After 67-Year Wait

Jammu and Kashmir have made history by winning their first Ranji Trophy title, defeating the mighty Karnataka in the 2025-26 final. The victory was secured by virtue of a massive 291-run first-innings lead built on a total of 584. Key performances included Shubham Pundir's century and Auqib Nabi's five-wicket haul, which dismantled Karnataka's star-studded batting lineup. This fairytale triumph caps a remarkable season where J&K entered as underdogs and defeated several former champions.

Key Points: J&K Wins First Ranji Trophy, Beats Karnataka on First-Innings Lead

  • First-ever Ranji Trophy title for J&K
  • Won on first-innings lead of 291 runs
  • Shubham Pundir's 121 set the foundation
  • Auqib Nabi's 5/54 sealed the match
  • Defeated eight-time champions Karnataka
2 min read

Jammu and Kashmir script history, clinch maiden Ranji Trophy title

Jammu & Kashmir clinch their maiden Ranji Trophy title, defeating Karnataka in the 2025-26 final by virtue of a massive first-innings lead.

"Jammu and Kashmir have scripted a fairytale ending to their 67-year wait. - Report"

Hubballi, February 28

In a moment that will be etched in the annals of Indian domestic cricket forever, Paras Dogra-led Jammu and Kashmir have scripted a fairytale ending to their 67-year wait, defeating the powerhouse Karnataka to lift their first-ever Ranji Trophy title as the final of the 2025-26 season was drawn and J-K emerged victorious based on the first-inning lead.

Playing their first-ever Ranji final, Jammu and Kashmir were crowned champions by virtue of their massive 291-run first-innings lead, a gap that proved insurmountable for the eight-time champions--Karnataka, led by Devdutt Padikkal.

The foundation of this historic triumph was laid in the first two days when J-K's batters showed relentless discipline. Led by a masterful 121 from Shubham Pundir and contributions from Yawer Hassan (88 runs), captain Paras Dogra (70 runs), Abdul Samad (61 runs), Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70 runs) and Sahil Lotra (72 runs), J-K amassed a massive first-innings total of 584 runs.

Despite J-K's dominance, pacer Prasidh Krishna claimed figures of 5/98 in 34.1 overs, standing out as the lone bowler who impressed for Karnataka.

Karnataka, despite boasting a lineup of international stars including KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Devdutt Padikkal, and Karun Nair, crumbled under the pressure of the scoreboard. Only Mayank Agarwal offered significant resistance with a valiant 160, but his effort was lonely. Karnataka were bowled out for 293, conceding a massive 291-run lead to Jammu and Kashmir.

The star of the show with the ball was J-K's Auqib Nabi, whose clinical 5/54 in 23 overs decimated the Karnataka middle order and effectively sealed the fate of the match by Day 4.

Batting again, J-K were powered by an unbeaten 160 by Qamran Iqbal and 101 not out by Sahil Lotra, as Paras Dogra declared the innings on 342/4 on Day 5, with J-K leading by 633 runs, as the entire squad stormed into the field in celebration.

Shubham Pundir won the Player of the Match award for his hundred in the first innings, as Auqib Nabi was awarded the Player of the Series award for his 55 wickets in eight matches in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season.

The significance of this win cannot be overstated as J-K entered the season as underdogs but reached the final by defeating former champions like Delhi, Rajasthan and Bengal.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Incredible! To defeat a star-studded team like Karnataka, with all their India players, shows the sheer talent and determination in J&K. Paras Dogra's leadership must be praised. This win will inspire so many kids in the valleys to pick up a bat and ball. Heartwarming news!
R
Rohit P
While I'm happy for J&K, I have to say the first-innings lead rule for the final feels a bit anticlimactic. A trophy of this prestige deserves a outright winner on the fifth day. Still, no one can take away from J&K's brilliant performance throughout the season. They were the best team.
M
Michael C
Watching from the UK, this is fantastic for the global cricket community. It shows the depth of Indian domestic cricket. A region known more for its scenic beauty is now on the cricket map in a huge way. Congratulations to the entire team!
S
Shreya B
Bas, wah! What a performance. 584 in the first innings against Karnataka's bowling? That's a statement. Auqib Nabi with 55 wickets is phenomenal. The BCCI's focus on infrastructure in the region is clearly paying off. More power to them!
K
Karthik V
As a Karnataka fan, it hurts to lose, but you have to applaud the better team. Our batting collapsed badly. Only Mayank showed fight. J&K played like champions from day one. Their journey beating Delhi, Bengal, and Rajasthan was no fluke. Well deserved.

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