Jammu & Kashmir script history, win Ranji Trophy for the first time
The victory ended the 66-year-old wait of Jammu and Kashmir, which made its debut in the Ranji Trophy in the 1959-60 season
India's Jammu and Kashmir today (28 February) scripted history by winning the trophy in the premier domestic competition, Ranji Trophy, by virtue of a huge first innings against more fancied rival Karnataka on the fifth and final day of the match, sparking celebrations.
The victory ended the 66-year-old wait of Jammu and Kashmir, which made its debut in the Ranji Trophy in the 1959-60 season, for getting their hands on the biggest domestic competition silverware in India.
The team led by Paras Dogra dominated domestic biggie Karnataka to win the final match of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season after securing a first innings lead in the match played in Hubballi, Karnataka, on Friday, when Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi's five-wicket haul helped the ultimate victory take a 291-run lead in the first innings.
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The final match ended in a draw, but Jammu and Kashmir won by virtue of the first innings lead as per Indian domestic cricket rules.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who flew to Hubballi on Friday evening to savour the victory from the closest quarters, announced a Rs two crore cash reward for the winning team.
"The J&K cricket team have already made lakhs of people very proud of their achievements," Omar wrote on X on Friday.
In the final, Jammu and Kashmir posted 584 in their first innings, helped by batter Shubham Pundir, who top-scored with a knock of 121. Dogra (70), Yawer Hassan (88), Abdul Samad (61), Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70) and Sahil Lotra (72) scored half-centuries to help the visitors put up a formidable total on the board.
29-year-old Auqib Nabi emerged as the highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season with 60 wickets.
Auqib's performance prompted former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly to pitch for the pacer's inclusion in the Indian team for the upcoming series against England in July.
"J&K has shown the world what effort and intent can do ..They have made that region so proud of them. A tough environment makes tuff people. Aqib Nabi on his way to national colours .. England is the place to start in the summer @bcci @imAagarkar @lonsaikia," Ganguly wrote on X.
