Jammu and Kashmir scripted an immortal chapter in Indian domestic cricket by clinching their maiden Ranji Trophy title on February 28, 2026, defeating eight-time champions Karnataka at the Hubballi Ground.
Entering the final as spirited underdogs, the Paras Dogra-led side delivered a masterclass in tactical discipline and mental fortitude to secure the championship via a massive first-innings lead. The victory marks the pinnacle of a 67-year journey, transforming the region’s cricketing landscape forever as they outplayed a star-studded Karnataka unit featuring multiple Test stars.
From Shubham Pundir’s foundational century to Auqib Nabi’s lethal pace and Qamran Iqbal’s final-day defiance, it was a collective triumph of a team that refused to be intimidated by legacy. As the match concluded in a draw with J&K leading by 633 runs, the jubilant scenes in the dressing room signaled a new era for the side.
Shubham Pundir’s grit and Jammu and Kashmir’s middle-order resilience post a mammoth 584
Jammu and Kashmir’s maiden title was built on a monumental first-innings total of 584, an effort that saw them bat Karnataka out of the game for over seven grueling sessions. After opting to bat on a true Hubballi surface, J&K lost early wickets, but Shubham Pundir anchored the innings with a sublime 121 off 247 balls, showcasing exemplary patience against the pace of Prasidh Krishna.
The beauty of the innings lay in its collective contributions, as five other batters crossed the fifty-run mark to dismantle Karnataka’s bowling rhythm. Yawer Hassan (88) provided a brisk start, while captain Paras Dogra (70) and Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70) consolidated the middle order with professional composure.
Even when Krishna triggered a late collapse to finish with 5/98, Sahil Lotra (72) and Abdul Samad (61) ensured the tail wagged significantly to push the score past the 550-mark. This massive total not only exhausted the Karnataka fielders but also created immense scoreboard pressure, setting the stage for J&K’s bowlers to attack with a defensive cushion. The sheer volume of runs scored over 173 overs sent a clear message that J&K was no longer content with being just participants but were in Hubballi to dictate terms.
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Auqib Nabi’s fiery five-for dismantles Karnataka’s star-studded lineup
Karnataka’s response to the giant total was met with a hurricane named Auqib Nabi, whose sensational spell of 5/54 effectively decided the fate of the Ranji Trophy. Nabi, the season’s leading wicket-taker, produced a masterclass in swing and seam bowling to remove the heavyweights of Karnataka’s batting order within the first two sessions.
He first stunned the home crowd by trapping KL Rahul for just 13 and followed it up by dismissing Karun Nair for a golden duck with a peach of a delivery that rattled the off-stump. While veteran Mayank Agarwal fought a magnificent lone battle with a fighting 160, he found virtually no support as Nabi returned to clean up the tail and secure a decisive 291-run first-innings lead.
Supported by Yudhvir Singh and Abid Mushtaq, the J&K attack maintained relentless pressure, bowling out the eight-time champions for a mere 293 in 93.3 overs. The sight of Karnataka’s frontline batters struggling to cope with Nabi’s pace served as a symbolic passing of the guard in domestic dominance. By securing the lead, J&K had mathematically placed one hand on the trophy, leaving Karnataka with the impossible task of forcing an outright victory on a deteriorating final-day track.
Ranji Trophy Final: Qamran Iqbal and Sahil Lotra’s twin tons seal a historic draw and maiden title
With a massive lead in hand, Jammu and Kashmir utilized the final two days to professionally bat Karnataka out of the contest, eventually declaring their second innings at 342/4. Despite an early wobble at 12/2 against Prasidh Krishna, Qamran Iqbal played the innings of his life, remaining unbeaten on 160 to ensure there were no late hiccups.
He was brilliantly supported by Sahil Lotra, who reached his maiden first-class century (101*) in a chanceless 197-run partnership that saw the lead swell to a staggering 633 runs. The frustration in the Karnataka camp was evident as captain Devdutt Padikkal was forced to use part-time bowlers like KL Rahul and Karun Nair to get through the overs on a flat Day 5 pitch.
The declaration finally came at 2:10 PM, leading to a formal handshake between the two captains and sparking wild celebrations among the J&K players and traveling supporters. This final act of dominance ensured that J&K finished the game without losing a single session on the final day, a fitting end to a campaign where they lost only one match. As the trophy was hoisted by Paras Dogra, it marked the end of a 67-year wait and the beginning of a legendary legacy for Jammu and Kashmir cricket.
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