Jammu and Kashmir crush Karnataka, lift maiden Ranji title

New Delhi: In an unforgettable climax to the 2025–26 domestic season, Jammu and Kashmir cricket team clinched their first-ever Ranji Trophy title after a pulsating final against eight-time champions Karnataka cricket team at the KSCA Rajnagar Stadium in Hubballi, also known as Hubli. The match ended in a draw, but Jammu and Kashmir prevailed on the strength of a colossal first-innings lead — a momentous achievement 66 years in the making.

Asked to bat first, Jammu and Kashmir posted a commanding 584 in their first innings, led by a stellar century from Shubham Pundir (121) and valuable contributions from several other batters. In response, Karnataka were bundled out for 293, giving J&K an imposing 291-run first-innings advantage. Undeterred, Jammu and Kashmir declared their second innings at 342 for 4, powered by unbeaten hundreds from Qamran Iqbal (160*) and Sahil Lotra (101*). With time running out and the hosts unable to chase down the massive total, the match concluded as a draw — but J&K’s first-innings superiority secured them cricket’s most coveted domestic title.

Jammu and Kashmir’s path to this historic triumph was far from straightforward. Entering the season as underdogs with limited expectations beyond competitive performances, the team showcased remarkable growth through the league and knockout stages. Throughout the season, their core strength lay in team unity, depth in both batting and bowling, and an unwavering belief that success was within reach.

Earlier in the knockouts, J&K dismissed seasoned opponents en route to the final. In the quarterfinals, they excitedly played with composure to beat Madhya Pradesh by 56 runs, while in the semifinals they chased down a target against Bengal to win by six wickets with grit to set up the blockbuster clash with Karnataka. Their progress marked a turning point for cricket in the region and emboldened a new generation of cricketers.

Ex-cricketers laud the achievement

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri summed up the broader significance of the win: “As the World Cup moves into the business end, the most heart-warming story has come from elsewhere. Jammu and Kashmir’s Ranji Trophy win is one of the most inspiring stories in Indian cricket in years.”

Veteran cricketer VVS Laxman also lauded the achievement, saying, “Beating a side like Karnataka — with its rich legacy and international stars — on Indian soil is no small feat. This is a victory built on discipline, self-belief and collective effort.”

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who once served as a mentor to the J&K setup, added, “This triumph transcends sport. It will have a lasting impact on aspiring cricketers across Jammu and Kashmir. Seasons like this change the narrative.”

Heroes and standout performances

Several individuals stood out during the final and throughout the season:

Shubham Pundir, whose first-innings century (121) earned him the Player of the Match award and anchored J&K’s massive total. There were half-centuries from Yawer Hassan (88), captain Paras Dogra (70), Abdul Samad (61), Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70) and Sahil Lotra (72).

Auqib Nabi, the team’s pace spearhead, whose relentless bowling in both the final and earlier matches helped him finish with an astonishing haul of 60 wickets. He knocked the wind of Karnataka's sails by taking 5/54, including three of the first four wickets as Karnataka were reduced to 57/4.

Qamran Iqbal and Sahil Lotra, whose unbeaten hundreds in the second innings thwarted any chance of a Karnataka comeback and sealed the title.

For Karnataka, seasoned campaigners like Mayank Agarwal provided resistance — Agarwal’s valiant 160 in their first innings was one of the rare highlights in challenging conditions.

The match had a very unsavoury incident when a Karnataka young substitute player KV Aneesh got under the skin of J&K captain Paras Dogra leading to the latter doing a headbutt and getting fined.

Tags : J&K, Jammu and Kashmir, Ranji Trophy, Cricket, Irfan Pathan, VVS Laxman, Ravi Shastri