Jammu and Kashmir Celebrates Historic Ranji Trophy Victory with ICC Chairman Jay Shah

The Jammu and Kashmir Ranji Trophy team recently celebrated their historic first title win by meeting ICC Chairman Jay Shah. The players expressed gratitude for his support during his tenure as BCCI Secretary, which significantly contributed to the growth of cricket in the region. Their remarkable victory, achieved after a 67-year wait, was marked by a dominant performance in the final against Karnataka. With standout contributions from players like Shubham Pundir and Auqib Nabi, the team secured their win based on a first-innings lead. This momentous occasion not only highlights their achievement but also the encouragement received from cricketing leaders.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 5, 2026, 12:49 IST

Jammu and Kashmir Team Meets Jay Shah

Players from the Jammu and Kashmir Ranji Trophy team recently met with Jay Shah, the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), to express their gratitude for his contributions to cricket in the region during his previous role as secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Celebrating the Victory

Following their remarkable first Ranji Trophy title win, the team reached out to Jay Shah through a post on X, sharing their desire to meet him and celebrate this significant achievement. They acknowledged his leadership's impact on enhancing cricket in Jammu and Kashmir during his tenure at the BCCI before he assumed the ICC chairmanship in December 2024.

The BCCI's post on X highlighted Jammu and Kashmir's historic victory and expressed appreciation for Jay Shah's support. They stated, "The historic triumph of Jammu and Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy will remain a proud milestone for cricket in the region. After their memorable victory, the players expressed a heartfelt desire to meet Hon. ICC Chair @JayShah and share this special moment with him, acknowledging the role his leadership played in strengthening cricket in Jammu & Kashmir during his tenure as BCCI Secretary. We sincerely thank Mr. Shah for taking the time to meet the team and for sharing his words of encouragement with the players as they celebrate this historic achievement. Congratulations to the entire J&K team and the cricket fraternity for scripting a remarkable chapter in Indian domestic cricket."

Historic Ranji Trophy Final

Under the captaincy of Paras Dogra, Jammu and Kashmir ended a 67-year wait to secure their first Ranji Trophy title, as the final of the 2025-26 season concluded in a draw, with the team declared winners based on their first-innings lead.

Jammu and Kashmir's Dominant First Innings

In the match, Jammu and Kashmir established their championship status with a commanding 291-run lead in the first innings against Karnataka, led by Devdutt Padikkal. The team's success was built on a solid performance over the first two days, highlighted by Shubham Pundir's impressive 121 runs and significant contributions from Yawer Hassan (88 runs), captain Paras Dogra (70 runs), Abdul Samad (61 runs), Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70 runs), and Sahil Lotra (72 runs), resulting in a total of 584 runs.

Despite Jammu and Kashmir's dominance, Karnataka's Prasidh Krishna stood out with bowling figures of 5/98 in 34.1 overs.

Karnataka Struggles Under Pressure

Karnataka, featuring international players like KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Devdutt Padikkal, and Karun Nair, struggled to cope with the pressure. Only Mayank Agarwal managed to make a significant impact with a score of 160, but it was not enough. Karnataka was bowled out for 293, giving Jammu and Kashmir a substantial 291-run lead. Auqib Nabi from Jammu and Kashmir was the standout bowler, taking 5 wickets for 54 runs in 23 overs, which effectively sealed the match's outcome by Day 4.

Match Ends in Draw, Jammu and Kashmir Wins on Lead

In their second innings, Jammu and Kashmir were propelled by an unbeaten 160 from Qamran Iqbal, leading to a declaration at 342/4 on Day 5, resulting in a 633-run lead. Both captains agreed to a handshake, allowing the entire Jammu and Kashmir squad to rush onto the field in celebration.

Awards for Outstanding Performances

Shubham Pundir was named Player of the Match, while Auqib Nabi received the Player of the Series award for his impressive tally of 55 wickets across eight matches in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season.