It took 67 years, but the wait is finally over — Jammu and Kashmir are Ranji Trophy champions.
The Paras Dogra-led side created history after the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy final against Karnataka cricket team ended in a draw at the KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground in Hubli. J&K secured the title on the basis of their massive first-innings lead, having outbatted the eight-time champions for nearly two and a half days.
With captain Paras Dogra declaring the second innings at 342/4, both skippers agreed to shake hands, triggering emotional celebrations as the entire Jammu and Kashmir squad rushed onto the field to mark a historic triumph.
Qamran Iqbal’s Century Caps Off Dominant Display
On the final day, J&K continued their commanding performance with opener Qamran Iqbal scoring a composed century. Drafted into the playing XI as a last-minute replacement for the injured Shubham Khajuria, Iqbal seized the opportunity in style.
He took 28 deliveries to move from 94 to 100, reaching his hundred with a boundary off Shreyas Gopal. In between, he successfully overturned a caught-behind decision on 98 after opting for a review — a moment that summed up J&K’s calm authority in the final.
The side added 99 runs in 38 overs in the morning session without losing a wicket, heading into lunch at 285/4 in 95 overs, underlining their complete control over proceedings.
Karnataka Go Through the Motions
With the outcome effectively sealed by Day Four, Karnataka showed little urgency on the final morning. Pace spearheads Prasidh Krishna and Vijaykumar Vyshak did not bowl a single over, as captain Devdutt Padikkal rotated his spinners and even turned to part-timers KL Rahul and Karun Nair.
There was no late drama — only the inevitability of history unfolding.
First-Innings Dominance Sets the Tone
Earlier in the match, J&K had won the toss and elected to bat first. Centuries from Shubham Pundir and valuable half-centuries from Shail Lotra, Kanhaiya Wadhawan and Dogra powered them to a formidable 584 all out.
Despite boasting an experienced batting line-up featuring Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Padikkal and season’s highest run-getter Ravichandran Smaran, Karnataka faltered under pressure.
Right-arm pacer Auqib Nabi proved the difference-maker. He returned figures of 5 for 54 — his seventh five-wicket haul of the season — as Karnataka were bundled out for 293 in 93.3 overs. Nabi also overtook Uttarakhand’s Mayank Mishra (59 wickets) to finish as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.
A Moment to Remember
Watched from the stands by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and BCCI president Mithun Manhas, Dogra’s men completed the formalities and etched their names into domestic cricket history.
After decades of waiting, resilience and rebuilding, Jammu and Kashmir finally stand at the summit of Indian domestic cricket — a triumph that will be remembered for generations.
