Hubbali, February 28 – Jammu & Kashmir achieved a remarkable feat in Indian domestic cricket, winning their first Ranji Trophy title after securing a decisive first-innings lead and forcing a draw against eight-time champions Karnataka in the final at the Hubli Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Led by strong performances with both bat and ball over five days, Jammu & Kashmir dominated Karnataka in every aspect, building a significant first-innings advantage of 291 runs before declaring their second innings at 342/4 on the final afternoon. With no realistic chance of gaining an advantage, both captains agreed to shake hands, leading to emotional celebrations for the Jammu & Kashmir players, support staff, and fans after a long wait for the biggest prize in Indian domestic cricket.
The visitors gained control after choosing to bat, thanks to a historic century by Shubham Pundir, whose unbeaten 117 helped Jammu & Kashmir reach 284/2 at the end of the first day. Pundir became the first player from the state to score a century in a Ranji Trophy final, showcasing patience and skill against a disciplined Karnataka attack.
He received strong support from Yawer Hassan (88) and Abdul Samad (52 not out), with the latter contributing a fluent half-century as Jammu & Kashmir dominated all three sessions to establish an early lead. Jammu & Kashmir continued their dominance on Day 2, with multiple batters making crucial contributions. Captain Paras Dogra scored a resolute half-century, while Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70) and Sahil Lotra (57 not out) ensured that the momentum remained with the visitors.
Despite a five-wicket haul from Karnataka seamer Prasidh Krishna, Jammu & Kashmir amassed a formidable 584, setting the stage for sustained pressure. Lotra's calm and composed innings highlighted the team's depth and composure, preventing any collapse and putting pressure on Karnataka to respond.
Jammu & Kashmir's bowlers backed up the batters brilliantly on Day 3, with Auqib Nabi Dar delivering a match-defining spell. His accurate bowling removed key Karnataka batsmen, including KL Rahul, Karun Nair, and Smaran Ravichandran, reducing them to 57/4 at one point. Although Karnataka captain Mayank Agarwal produced a magnificent rearguard century, scoring 130 not out, Jammu & Kashmir maintained control.
Lotra (72), Abid Mushtaq (28), and Yudhvir Singh Charak (30) had earlier ensured that Jammu & Kashmir's first innings exceeded the 580-run mark, further solidifying their dominance.
On Day 4, despite Mayank's valiant effort, which eventually ended at 160, Karnataka were bowled out for 293. Auqib Nabi concluded with an outstanding five-wicket haul, securing a commanding 291-run first-innings lead for Jammu & Kashmir, effectively determining the outcome of the match. With ample time on their side and the trophy within reach, Jammu & Kashmir approached their second innings with composure after briefly slipping to 11/2.
Opener Qamran Iqbal emerged as the key figure in clinching the title, producing a magnificent innings under pressure. He forged vital partnerships with Paras Dogra and Abdul Samad before combining with Sahil Lotra to completely shut down Karnataka.
Resuming Day 5 on 186/4, Iqbal brought up a memorable century and continued his masterful performance, eventually reaching 160 off 311 deliveries in a marathon effort characterized by discipline, temperament, and technical expertise. On the other end, Lotra crowned a dream match with his maiden first-class century, remaining unbeaten on 101. His innings followed an impressive 72 in the first innings, showcasing his emergence as one of the standout performers of the final.
Their unbroken partnership drained Karnataka's final hopes and extended Jammu & Kashmir's lead well beyond 600 runs before captain Paras Dogra declared at 342/4, formally sealing the victory. Jammu & Kashmir's triumph was built on collective excellence rather than individual brilliance alone. Pundir's historic century laid the foundation, Lotra delivered with both bat and temperament, and Auqib Nabi's relentless bowling ensured that Karnataka never recovered from the significant deficit.
Throughout the contest, Jammu & Kashmir displayed remarkable discipline, composure, and belief, maintaining control from the opening session of Day 1 until the final declaration. Playing in their maiden Ranji Trophy final, Jammu & Kashmir showed no signs of nerves against one of India's most successful domestic teams. Instead, they dictated the terms, executed their plans flawlessly, and rose to the occasion with maturity beyond their experience.
After 67 years of participation in India's premier domestic tournament, Jammu & Kashmir finally lifted the Ranji Trophy, marking a historic and emotional milestone for cricket in the region.
Brief scores: Jammu & Kashmir 584 all out & 342/4 dec (Qamran Iqbal 160, Sahil Lotra 101; Prasidh Krishna 2-42) beat Karnataka 293 all out (Mayank Agarwal 160, Kruthik Krishna 36; Auqib Nabi Dar 5-54) with first-innings lead.
