Hubballi, February 28 – Karnataka captain Devdutt Padikkal expressed pride in his team's effort despite their defeat in the Ranji Trophy final, while graciously acknowledging Jammu & Kashmir's superior performance and their richly deserved historic maiden title triumph.
Reflecting on Karnataka's journey to the final and the eventual result, Padikkal said, "It's really not easy to get to a Ranji final. It takes a lot of sacrifice and effort. So, I'm very proud of the boys, and of course, all the credit goes to J&K. They played some excellent cricket throughout the season, and they thoroughly deserved it. We always understood that the toss would be important, but at the end of the day, it's a final, and the pressure will be there regardless. So, it was up to us to step up. Unfortunately, we weren't able to do that, and they played much better cricket than us."
Jammu & Kashmir dominated large portions of the five-day contest, securing a decisive first-innings lead and effectively dismissing Karnataka to secure a landmark victory that marked a significant moment for cricket in Jammu and Kashmir.
Padikkal also reserved special praise for Jammu & Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi Dar, whose outstanding bowling played a pivotal role in tilting the contest decisively in his team's favor.
"He bowled exceptionally well throughout the season. Our batsmen also scored a lot of runs. So, we were confident that we could handle his spells. But in the end, he just got the better of us. And that's how it goes sometimes, especially when someone is having such a great season. It's not easy to negate their performance. I'm very happy for him. It's incredible to have a season where you get 60-odd wickets. He has put his heart and soul into the entire season, and I'm very happy for him. To be honest, this is the first loss I've felt as a captain."
Despite the disappointment of falling short in the final, Padikkal emphasized the positives for Karnataka, particularly the emergence of young players and the experience gained from reaching the title clash.
"So, I have to start adjusting to that. But I'm really happy with the way the boys have played. There are a lot of young players coming through, and it's incredible for them to reach a Ranji Trophy final so early in their careers. I'm sure this will motivate them and help them improve. I'm sure they will continue to improve next year as well."
Karnataka's run to the final showcased their depth and resilience throughout the season, but they were ultimately outplayed by a determined Jammu & Kashmir side whose consistency and composure across all five days ensured a historic triumph in Indian domestic cricket's premier tournament.
