Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Feb 28: Jammu & Kashmir etched their name in Indian cricket history by clinching their maiden Ranji Trophy title, defeating Karnataka in a dominant final at Hubballi.
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The triumph, per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), marks J&K’s first Ranji Trophy crown in 66 years, triggering widespread celebrations across the Union Territory.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, J&K posted a formidable 584 in 173.1 overs, built on a strong collective batting effort. Shubham Pundir anchored the innings with a composed 121 off 247 balls, while Yawer Hassan (88) and skipper Paras Dogra (70) provided solid support.
The middle order kept the momentum alive through Abdul Samad (61) and wicketkeeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70), while Sahil Lotra added crucial runs with a well-crafted 72. For Karnataka, Prasidh Krishna stood out with a five-wicket haul, though the attack struggled overall.
In reply, Karnataka were bowled out for 293 in 93.3 overs, conceding a massive first-innings deficit of 291 runs. Mayank Agarwal fought a lone battle with a superb 160, but lacked support from the rest of the batting lineup.
J&K’s bowling was led by Auqib Nabi Dar, who claimed a sensational five-wicket haul (5/54), his seventh of the tournament. Sunil Kumar and Yudhvir Singh Charak chipped in with two wickets each to keep Karnataka firmly under pressure.
With a commanding lead, J&K tightened their grip in the second innings, reaching 342/4 in 113 overs. Qamran Iqbal starred with an unbeaten 160, while Sahil Lotra completed a fine match with an unbroken 101, effectively shutting the door on any Karnataka comeback.
The final ended in a draw, but J&K’s decisive first-innings lead sealed a historic victory and the most prestigious title in Indian domestic cricket.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was present at the venue in Hubballi, applauding the team alongside other leaders, underscoring the significance of the achievement for the region.
The victory is being hailed as a watershed moment for cricket in Jammu & Kashmir, symbolising resilience, growth, and years of perseverance. Celebrations erupted across the Union Territory, with fans calling it a new dawn for sports in the region—(KNO)
