Jammu and Kashmir Claims Historic Ranji Trophy Title After 67 Years

Jammu and Kashmir has made history by winning its first Ranji Trophy title after a 67-year wait. Cricketer Sahil Lotra played a crucial role in this achievement, scoring 72 and an unbeaten 101 in the final match. The team, led by Paras Dogra, showcased remarkable discipline and unity throughout the tournament. Their victory was secured against Karnataka, with significant contributions from players like Shubham Pundir and Auqib Nabi. This win marks a significant milestone for Jammu and Kashmir cricket, fulfilling a long-held dream for the team and its supporters.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 4, 2026, 09:20 IST

A Dream Realized for Jammu and Kashmir

Sahil Lotra, a cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir, expressed his joy over the team's first Ranji Trophy title, calling it a "massive achievement" and a "dream fulfilled." Under the leadership of Paras Dogra, Jammu and Kashmir ended a 67-year wait by winning the title after the final match of the 2025-26 season was drawn, with the team declared winners due to their first-innings lead. Lotra played a pivotal role, scoring 72 runs in the first innings and an unbeaten 101 in the third innings, which helped secure the victory.

A Special Moment for the Team

In an interview, Lotra shared, "This is a very special moment for me. Winning the Ranji Trophy is a significant achievement for our team, fulfilling a long-held dream. We have been training hard for four years and played cricket for eight consecutive months this year. Our preparations included participating in the Buchi Babu tournament before the Ranji Trophy season, which was instrumental. Our coaches have also been incredibly supportive throughout this journey."

Unity and Discipline: The Keys to Victory

Lotra attributed the team's success to their unity and discipline during the tournament. He stated, "We approached the final as just another match, focusing on our game rather than the opposition. The key factors for us were our team combination, unity, and the discipline we exhibited throughout the tournament. Everyone understood their roles and executed them effectively."

Jammu and Kashmir's Historic Win

In the final match, Jammu and Kashmir secured their championship title with a commanding 291-run lead over Karnataka, led by Devdutt Padikkal. The foundation for this victory was laid during the first two days, where the batters displayed exceptional discipline.

Dominance in the First Innings

Jammu and Kashmir's first innings was highlighted by a stellar 121 from Shubham Pundir, along with significant contributions from Yawer Hassan (88 runs), captain Paras Dogra (70 runs), Abdul Samad (61 runs), Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70 runs), and Lotra (72 runs), resulting in a total of 584 runs. Despite this dominance, 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 like KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal, struggled to cope with the scoreboard pressure. Only Mayank Agarwal managed to score a notable 160 runs, but it was not enough as 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 by Day 4.

Celebration of Victory

In their second innings, Jammu and Kashmir saw Qamran Iqbal score an unbeaten 160 runs, leading to a declaration at 342/4 on Day 5, with a total lead of 633 runs. Both captains agreed to end the match, prompting jubilant celebrations from the Jammu and Kashmir squad.

Awards and Recognition

Shubham Pundir was honored with the Player of the Match award, while Auqib Nabi received the Player of the Series award for his remarkable achievement of 55 wickets in eight matches during the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season.