Jammu and Kashmir beat eight-time champions Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy final at Hubballi, winning on first-innings lead after scoring 584 and declaring at 342 for four for a 633-run advantage.
The match drew but J&K’s dominance prevailed, with Aqib Nabi taking Player of the Series honors for 60 wickets at 12.57 average, including a five-for in the final. Qamran Iqbal’s unbeaten 159 and Shubham Lotra’s 101 fueled the second innings, while cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh praised the grit that ended a 67-year drought.
Jammu and Kashmir created history by winning the Ranji Trophy for the first time. In the final played in Hubli, Jammu and Kashmir ended a long wait of 66 years by putting up a brilliant performance against Karnataka cricket team.
Captain Paras Dogra won the toss and decided to bat first, which proved decisive. The team made a mountain-like score of 584 runs in the first innings. Shubham Pandya scored a responsible 121 runs while Yawar Hasan (88), Paras Dogra (70), Abdul Samad (61), Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70) and Sahil Lutra (72) made important partnerships and put the team in a strong position.
In reply, the Karnataka team looked under pressure and was all out for 293 runs, thus facing a huge loss of 291 runs in the first innings. Captain Mayank Agarwal played a resistant innings of 160 runs but the other batsmen could not stand up to the bowlers of Jammu and Kashmir. Aqib Nabi Dar bowled brilliantly and took 5 wickets, while Sunil Kumar and Yadvir Singh gave full support.
In the second innings, Jammu and Kashmir further consolidated their lead. Qumran Iqbal scored an unbeaten 160 and Sahil Lutra scored an unbeaten 101 to end Karnataka’s hopes of a comeback. Although the match was drawn, Jammu and Kashmir was declared the winner due to its clear first innings lead.
Defeating the Bengal cricket team in the semi-final and winning against the Madhya Pradesh cricket team in the quarter-final gave the team a new height of confidence. Despite losing to the Mumbai cricket team in the initial stage, the team made a brilliant comeback and showed consistency.
This historic achievement is being considered a milestone for Jammu and Kashmir cricket. According to experts, this victory will not only promote cricket in the region but will also give new hope and encouragement to young players. This victory proves that even the impossible can be made possible through hard work, discipline and teamwork.
In a moment that will always be remembered in the history of cricket in Jammu and Kashmir, the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team won its first Ranji Trophy title, on which Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah announced a cash prize of Rs. 2 crore for the players and support staff.
