Jammu and Kashmir Claims Historic First Ranji Trophy Title

In a historic moment for Indian cricket, Jammu and Kashmir has won its first Ranji Trophy title, defeating Karnataka in a thrilling final. Led by Paras Dogra, the team showcased remarkable batting prowess, with standout performances from Shubham Pundir and Auqib Nabi. This victory marks the end of a 67-year wait for the title and highlights the underdog journey of Jammu and Kashmir, who triumphed over several former champions to reach the final. Read on to explore the details of this unforgettable match.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 28, 2026, 15:39 IST

A Historic Victory for Jammu and Kashmir

In a remarkable achievement for Indian domestic cricket, Jammu and Kashmir, under the leadership of Paras Dogra, has ended a 67-year wait by clinching their inaugural Ranji Trophy title. They triumphed over the formidable Karnataka team, winning based on their first-innings lead after the final of the 2025-26 season ended in a draw.

Dominant Batting Sets the Stage

The groundwork for this historic victory was laid during the first two days of play, where Jammu and Kashmir's batsmen displayed exceptional discipline. Shubham Pundir led the charge with a stellar 121 runs, supported by Yawer Hassan (88 runs), captain Paras Dogra (70 runs), Abdul Samad (61 runs), Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70 runs), and Sahil Lotra (72 runs). This collective effort resulted in a formidable first-innings total of 584 runs. Despite the dominance of J-K, Karnataka's Prasidh Krishna stood out with impressive bowling figures of 5/98 in 34.1 overs.

Karnataka Struggles Under Pressure

Karnataka, featuring international stars such as KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Devdutt Padikkal, and Karun Nair, faltered under the pressure of the scoreboard. Mayank Agarwal was the only player to offer substantial resistance, scoring a commendable 160 runs. However, Karnataka was ultimately bowled out for 293, giving Jammu and Kashmir a massive 291-run lead. Auqib Nabi from J-K was the standout bowler, taking 5 wickets for 54 runs in 23 overs, which effectively sealed the match's outcome by Day 4.

Celebrations and Achievements

In their second innings, Jammu and Kashmir continued to dominate, with Qamran Iqbal scoring an unbeaten 160 and Sahil Lotra contributing 101 not out. Captain Paras Dogra declared the innings at 342/4 on Day 5, leading by 633 runs, prompting jubilant celebrations as the entire team rushed onto the field.

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

An Inspiring Underdog Journey

This victory is particularly significant as Jammu and Kashmir entered the season as underdogs, overcoming former champions such as Delhi, Rajasthan, and Bengal to reach the final.