Jammu & Kashmir scripted history by winning their first-ever Ranji Trophy title after being part of the tournament for 66 years. The final against Karnataka ended in a draw, but J&K lifted the trophy thanks to their big first-innings lead.
This memorable win marks a major achievement for the team since their debut in the 1959-60 season.
Match Summary: How J&K Clinched the Title
| Match Detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Final | Jammu & Kashmir vs Karnataka |
| Result | Match Drawn |
| Trophy Winner | Jammu & Kashmir |
| Winning Basis | First-innings lead |
J&K dominated the game with strong batting and disciplined bowling, which helped them stay ahead throughout the match.
First Innings: Big Total Sets the Foundation
Jammu & Kashmir started well after an early wicket. Yawer Hassan (88) and Shubham Pundir added a crucial 139-run partnership.
Later, captain Paras Dogra, Abdul Samad, and others kept the momentum going. Contributions from the middle order helped J&K post a massive total.
| J&K Key Performers – 1st Innings | Runs |
|---|---|
| Shubham Pundir | Century |
| Yawer Hassan | 88 |
| Sahil Lotra | 72 |
| Team Total | 584 all out |
This strong score gave J&K full control of the match.
Karnataka Reply: Auqib Nabi’s Match-Turning Spell
In reply, Karnataka faced early trouble due to a brilliant spell from Auqib Nabi.
He removed top batters including:
- KL Rahul
- Karun Nair
- Ravichandran Smaran
- Mayank Agarwal
| Karnataka Highlights | Performance |
|---|---|
| Mayank Agarwal | 160 |
| Auqib Nabi (J&K) | 5/54 |
| Season Wickets (Nabi) | 60 |
Despite Agarwal’s fighting century, Karnataka fell well behind J&K’s total.
Second Innings: J&K Seal Control
J&K continued their dominance in the second innings.
| J&K Key Performers – 2nd Innings | Runs |
|---|---|
| Qamran Iqbal | Century |
| Sahil Lotra | Century |
| Team Total | 342/4 declared |
After building a huge overall lead, captain Paras Dogra declared, and both teams agreed to end the match. The draw confirmed J&K as champions based on their first-innings advantage.
Captain & Season Heroes
- Paras Dogra led the team brilliantly and played a key role with the bat.
- Sahil Lotra impressed with a fifty in the first innings and a century in the second.
- Auqib Nabi finished as the Player of the Season with 60 wickets, taking his tally to 104 wickets across the last two seasons.
Key Outcomes from the Final
- Jammu & Kashmir win their first Ranji Trophy title in 66 years.
- The final ended in a draw, but J&K won on first-innings lead.
- Mayank Agarwal’s 160 was the standout knock for Karnataka.
- Auqib Nabi topped the season’s wicket chart with 60 scalps.
- Five different teams have now won the Ranji Trophy in the last five seasons.
This victory is a landmark moment for Jammu & Kashmir cricket. The team showed strong teamwork, leadership, and consistency throughout the season. Winning the Ranji Trophy after such a long wait will inspire young players from the region and mark the beginning of a new chapter in their cricket journey.
Stay tuned for more match updates, scores, and analysis from the domestic cricket season.
