In a high-stakes Ranji Trophy 2025-26 final, Karnataka‘s seasoned campaigner Mayank Agarwal produced one of his most important career knocks, smashing a resilient century to keep his side afloat against a dominant Jammu & Kashmir at the KSCA Rajnagar Stadium. Despite Agarwal’s heroics, Karnataka remains in a precarious position as they chase J&K’s mountain-sized first-innings total of 584.

Mayank Agarwal’s blazing knock amidst a collapse

Coming off a season where his form had been under the scanner, Agarwal chose the grandest stage of domestic cricket to rediscover his touch. Karnataka’s reply to J&K’s 584 got off to a disastrous start on Day 3. The top order, featuring stars like KL Rahul (13) and Devdutt Padikkal (11), crumbled under a sensational opening spell by J&K’s Auqib Nabi.

At 57/4, Karnataka looked set for a humiliating follow-on. However, Agarwal stood like a rock at one end. Showing immense discipline against the moving ball, he slowly rebuilt the innings, reaching his 21st First-Class century in the final session of the day. His celebration—a simple raising of the helmet—was met with a standing ovation from a relieved Karnataka dressing room.

Support from Shreyas Gopal

While wickets tumbled at the other end, Agarwal found a steady partner in Shreyas Gopal. The duo stitched together a vital 87-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Gopal (25) played a perfect foil to Agarwal, blunting the J&K pace attack that had earlier “spat fire.”

Though Gopal fell late in the day, Agarwal’s presence ensured that Karnataka reached 176/5 by the time the shadows lengthened in Hubballi.

The match has not been without its share of drama. Day 2 was marred by a physical altercation when J&K captain Paras Dogra reportedly headbutted Karnataka’s KV Aneesh following a sledging incident. Agarwal had to play the role of peacemaker on that occasion, a temperament he carried into his batting today.

Also WATCH: Auqib Nabi removes KL Rahul with peach of a delivery in Ranji Trophy final

Here’s how fans reacted

100 in 153 balls for Mayank Agarwal as he stands up to the heat of four early wickets. Only his second hundred of the #RanjiTrophy season. Despite a superb knock, Karnataka still very much on the back foot but has denied J&K full satisfaction just yet. pic.twitter.com/1mQTZNpybv

— Lalith Kalidas (@lal__kal) February 26, 2026

Match saving 💯
Mayank agarwal pic.twitter.com/SLF16jaNM7

— Balunatesh (@Balunatesh) February 26, 2026

Mayank Agarwal, take a bow. An innings of character. Long way to go.

— Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) February 26, 2026

100 off 153 balls — Brilliant century for Mayank Agarwal. Karnataka’s hopes rest on him… #RanjiTrophy

— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) February 26, 2026

A 💯 to remember for Mayank Agarawal 👏👏

He is fighting it out for Karnataka in the #RanjiTrophy Final 🫡

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/G0ytZLEyNB @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/5hcdYmmvuC

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 26, 2026

Mayank Agarwal brings up his 21st first-class hundred for Karnataka against Jammu and Kashmir in the Ranji trophy final 💯#MayankAgarwal #RanjiTrophy #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/5Nv96QPMYQ

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 26, 2026

🚨 HUNDRED FOR MAYANK AGARWAL IN RANJI FINAL 🚨

Karnataka at one stage 57/4 and he scored a majestic Hundred against Jammu & Kashmir in the Final of this Ranji Trophy – What a remarkable Hundred by Mayank Agarwal. pic.twitter.com/zsTUbmNZWn

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) February 26, 2026

Mayank Agarwal stands between J&K and the #RanjiTrophy

— Fouad Farooq (@ffarooqb) February 26, 2026

Cometh the man, cometh the hour 💯🔥

With Karnataka struggling at 57-4, Mayank Agarwal stood tall.🫶🏻

A fighting century when it mattered the most 🔥🏏
#RanjiTrophy #MayankAgarwal pic.twitter.com/o5iuZLce3Q

— Arun Chaudhary🇮🇳 (@iarunchaudhary) February 26, 2026

HUNDRED FOR MAYANK AGARWAL IN RANJI FINAL 🚨

Karnataka at one stage 57/4 and he scored a majestic Hundred against Jammu & Kashmir in the Final of this Ranji Trophy – What a remarkable Hundred by Mayank Agarwal. pic.twitter.com/Z7kDdWHdPe

— Abhishek Vision (@AbhishekVisionX) February 26, 2026

Stand and Take a bow for Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal smashed a century against Jammu and Kashmir.

What a fight back for Karnataka when Early wicket gone of KL Rahul.#RanjiFinalpic.twitter.com/KlxKI6AUsM

— Ashu (@AshuKharwa66211) February 26, 2026

Outstanding Hundred For Mayank Agrawal in Ranji Trophy Final Against J&K.#KARvJK pic.twitter.com/9SMfpTTOc6

— 🚩🇮🇳 𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐈 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐊𝐔𝐑 𝟏𝟖 ❤️ (@82_mohali__) February 26, 2026

CLUTCH IN THE FINAL 🏏🔥

Mayank Agarwal steps up with a crucial hundred when Karnataka were in trouble in the Ranji Trophy final. pic.twitter.com/iO2ptfSmGW

— Ganesh 🇮🇳 (@GaneshVerse) February 26, 2026

Also WATCH: Auqib Nabi falls in unusual fashion to Prasidh Krishna in Ranji Trophy Final 2026

Jammu and Kashmir’s Shubham Pundir celebrates his century (PTI Photo)

Ranji Trophy finals are often marathon affairs, and the ongoing summit clash between Jammu and Kashmir and Karnataka is following that script. After J&K posted a commanding 584 in their first innings, Karnataka reached 35 for one at lunch on Day 3 but slipped to 98 for four in the second session.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!With plenty of time left but a large deficit to overcome, a draw remains a possibility. Unlike league matches, however, the Ranji Trophy final must produce a winner. Thankfully, one key rule provides clarity: the first-innings lead determines the champion if no outright result emerges.

Essentially, if neither side can bowl the other out twice or chase the target, the team with the higher first-innings total claims the trophy. This ensures that sustained performance over the longer format is rewarded, particularly in multi-day matches where weather or pitch conditions can prevent a definitive finish.Here’s how the current final could play out:Scenario 1 – Karnataka take the first-innings lead:If Karnataka surpass J&K’s 584 by scoring 585 or more, they will gain the crucial first-innings advantage. Even if the match ends in a draw afterward, Karnataka will be crowned Ranji Trophy champions. This is the simplest path to the title for the southern side, though it demands overcoming a massive deficit.Scenario 2 – Jammu & Kashmir retain their lead:Should Karnataka fall short of 584, J&K will maintain the first-innings advantage. In that case, irrespective of remaining time or a drawn result, Jammu and Kashmir will be declared champions. Their strong batting performance and early bowling control currently put them in a commanding position.Scenario 3 – External interruptions:In the unlikely event of rain or other factors preventing Karnataka from completing their innings and no first-innings lead is established, tournament rules can default to group-stage points or prior performance. Nonetheless, the first-innings lead is typically decisive in finals.Jammu and Kashmir’s 584 was built through disciplined partnerships and lower-order resistance, giving them a strong platform. Their bowlers have also applied early pressure in Karnataka’s reply, removing key batsmen KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Smaran Ravichandran, and Karun Nair.

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NEW DELHI: The Indian Army is fully prepared for future contingencies and will not be deterred by Pakistan’s nuclear threats, Western Army Commander Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar said on Thursday. He warned Pakistan that any future conflict would end with a decisive outcome on the ground.Addressing troops after an investiture ceremony at Dhyan Singh Stadium in Mamoon Military Station, Lt Gen Katiyar said Pakistan had sought a ceasefire during Operation Sindoor while simultaneously issuing nuclear threats. “They said if they go down, they will take half the world with them. We ignored those threats then, and we are even better prepared now, with a clear plan for the future,” he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.Calling out Pakistan’s military leadership ofor sustaining a “war-like situation” to remain relevant at home, the commander said India’s leadership was focused on national development, while Pakistan’s generals were driven by the need to retain power. He said Pakistan lacked the courage and capability for open combat and instead relied on proxy warfare to provoke escalation.“Pakistan repeatedly uses terrorist outfits to provoke India so that when we retaliate, it can project a war-like situation and rally domestic support,” he said, adding that Islamabad had misled its own people with a false narrative of victory and media propaganda. “This time, we will not give them that opportunity,” he added.Lt Gen Katiyar stressed that future operations would go beyond targeting bases and posts. “Our victory will be on the ground and so decisive that they will be forced to accept defeat before the world,” he said.Underscoring the role of Western Command formations, he told troops their preparedness would be critical in any future action. “You must be ready to enter enemy territory, seize key areas and inflict damage, while also protecting Jammu and Punjab,” he said, adding that the nation’s expectations demanded peak operational readiness.He said India’s preparedness should serve as a strong deterrent. “Our readiness must make the enemy think ten times before any misadventure,” he said.“The danger has not gone away. Our response must be stronger than before,” he said, adding that Pakistan had failed to learn from past conflicts, including the 1971 war and the Kargil conflict.

MUMBAI: In a first-of-its-kind move, Ratnagiri district on Tuesday unveiled a District Development-cum-Climate Action Plan that places actionable climate-resilient measures at the heart of its growth strategy, with a focus on renewable energy, climate-proof infrastructure and strengthening farm and fisheries value chains.Prepared by the International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology (iFOREST) under an MoU with the state’s department of environment and climate change, the plan proposes a series of sector-specific interventions to safeguard livelihoods in the coastal district and unlock new economic opportunities.Among the key measures is the large-scale deployment of solar pumps, renewable-powered cold chains and clean energy systems to support agriculture and fisheries. The plan calls for expansion of climate-resilient agricultural practices, micro-irrigation and post-harvest infrastructure for horticulture crops such as mango and coconut, which form the backbone of the district’s rural economy.It also emphasises climate-proofing of roads, bridges, public buildings and coastal infrastructure through improved drainage systems and resilient design standards, amid projections of rising temperatures, extreme rainfall and increasing flood and landslide risks. Nearly one-third of the district’s villages are projected to face higher flood risks by 2050, and 167 villages fall in landslide-prone zones.Renewable energy development is identified as a major growth lever. The plan estimates Ratnagiri’s renewable energy potential at nearly 19 gigawatts across solar, wind, rooftop and floating solar systems, creating scope for decentralised energy generation and green jobs. It recommends building green skills among youth to tap emerging clean-technology and climate-linked livelihood opportunities.Institutionally, the blueprint proposes setting up a dedicated district climate cell within the administration to integrate climate priorities into annual planning and budgeting across departments. A district climate finance platform has also been recommended to facilitate convergence of government schemes and mobilise investments for climate-resilient projects.The plan was released by district collector and magistrate Manuj Jindal at a meeting attended by district officials, panchayati raj representatives, women’s self-help groups, farmer cooperatives and civil society organisations.“As a coastal district within the eco-sensitive zones of the Sahyadri mountains, Ratnagiri must prepare for climate risks that will directly impact local lives and livelihoods,” Jindal said, stressing the need to strengthen fisheries through improved cold storage, electric boats and resilient infrastructure to enhance economic output and sustainable employment.Srestha Banerjee, director, just transition and climate change at iFOREST, said integrating climate action with district planning would help streamline administrative oversight and converge financial resources for effective implementation.

India Women all-rounder Deepti Sharma has reassured fans about skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s fitness ahead of the crucial second ODI against Australia Women. The match is scheduled to be played at Bellerive Oval on Friday, and the Indian camp appears more relaxed after initial concerns over their captain’s injury.

Harmanpreet had suffered a scare during the opening ODI at Allan Border Field, injuring her left knee while batting. The incident forced her off the field, and she did not return during Australia’s run chase, sparking worries about her availability for the remainder of the series.

Deepti Sharma shares update on Harmanpreet Kaur’s injury

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Deepti offered a calm and confident update on her skipper’s condition. Her words will come as a major boost for the visitors, who are aiming to level the series after losing the opener. Harmanpreet’s presence is vital not just for her batting but also for her leadership, especially in high-pressure overseas conditions.

“I can say that she is fit and fine. As a team, we played really good cricket. The result didn’t go our way, but we are looking forward and we’ll come back stronger in the next game,” Deepti said.

Earlier, the Board of Control for Cricket in India had confirmed that Harmanpreet sustained a left knee injury while batting and that the medical team was closely monitoring her recovery. In her absence on the field during the second innings, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana stepped up to lead the side.

Also READ: Australia vs India, Women’s ODI Series: Schedule, Team News, Broadcast and Live Streaming Details

Series on the line after opening defeat

India Women began the ODI series on a disappointing note, going down by six wickets in Brisbane. After being bowled out for 214 in 48.3 overs, the visitors struggled to defend the total. Australia Women comfortably chased down the target in just 38.2 overs, finishing with six wickets in hand.

The loss means India must win in Hobart to keep the series alive. With Harmanpreet likely available, the team management will be hoping for a stronger all-round performance.

Also READ: Stafanie Taylor becomes only 2nd player after Mithali Raj to achieve special record in WODIs

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully completed the full dress rehearsal for the upcoming Vayushakti-26 exercise at Pokhran, officials confirmed on Thursday, marking a key milestone in validating all operational parameters ahead of the main demonstration.In a post on X, the IAF said, “Indian Air Force: Infallible, Impervious and Precise 1 day to go. The Indian Air Force has successfully validated all operational parameters during the Full Dress Rehearsal for #Vayushakti26 at Pokhran, all targets effectively neutralised. All Air Warriors now stand fully mission-ready for the decisive demonstration on 27 February, Pokhran, Jaisalmer.”The IAF video showcased the launch of Russian S-400 air defence missiles in action. The S-400 systems shot down at least five high-tech Pakistani fighters in the F-16 and JF-17-class in the air as well as an ELINT (electronic intelligence) or AEW&C (airborne early warning and control) aircraft in the “longest kill ever achieved” at a distance of 314 km during Operation Sindoor.The S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system boasts an impressive range of 380 km and has been deployed in three operational squads under a Rs 40,000 crore deal with Russia signed in October 2018. Originally planned for five squads, the deployment of the remaining two squads has been delayed to 2026–27 due to disruptions caused by the Russia–Ukraine conflict.The exercise aims to demonstrate the force’s ability to swiftly neutralise threats, dominate the operational environment, and translate tactical actions into strategic outcomes. In addition, Vayushakti-26 will showcase the IAF’s role in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, including rapid airlift, rescue, and evacuation operations within India and abroad.A wide range of aircraft and helicopters will participate, including India’s fighter jets Tejas, Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-29, and Hawk, as well as transport planes like C-130J, C-295, and C-17. Helicopters including Chetak, ALH MK-IV, Mi-17 IV, LCH, Apache, and Chinook will also take part, along with Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). Advanced weapons such as Short Range Loitering Munitions (SRLM), Akash, SpyDer, and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) will be used in day, dusk, and night missions to show the IAF’s flexibility and readiness.The exercise will also reaffirm the success of Operation Sindoor and demonstrate the IAF’s strength in controlling airspace, targeting threats from long distances, operating across multiple areas, and using indigenous platforms, in line with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.Guided by the core values of “Achook, Abhedya aur Sateek,” the exercise aims to reassure IAF’s readiness to safeguard sovereignty, protect national interests, and maintain operational superiority in an evolving security landscape.