Jammu and Kashmir Wins Historic Ranji Trophy Title

Jammu and Kashmir has made history by winning their first Ranji Trophy title, with skipper Paras Dogra expressing immense gratitude and Player of the Match Shubham Pundir calling it a fairytale moment. The team showcased remarkable discipline throughout the match, culminating in a significant victory over Karnataka. This achievement marks a monumental milestone for the region and its cricketing community, as they celebrate a long-awaited triumph.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 28, 2026, 17:25 IST

Historic Victory for Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir made history by securing their first-ever Ranji Trophy title, leaving skipper Paras Dogra overwhelmed with emotion. He described this victory as the pinnacle of his cricketing career. In their inaugural Ranji final, Jammu and Kashmir triumphed over the eight-time champions Karnataka, who were unable to overcome a staggering 291-run first-innings deficit. Shubham Pundir was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance, scoring 121 runs off 247 balls in the first innings, which laid the groundwork for this historic win.

Skipper's Emotional Reaction

"I can't put this into words. This is the most significant moment of my life, and I am incredibly grateful for it. I feel fortunate to be part of JKCA, and the team's performance has been exceptional," Dogra expressed after the match. He acknowledged the contributions of not just the playing XI but the entire squad, emphasizing that their collective effort was crucial to the victory. "Everyone has been outstanding, and it's not just about the 11 players; the entire squad has been phenomenal. They have consistently shown their determination to win," he added.

Player of the Match's Fairytale Experience

Shubham Pundir, the Player of the Match, described the win as surreal and akin to a fairytale for the region. "It feels surreal. This is a monumental achievement for our region, the players, and the management. Everyone has put in years of hard work, making this victory a significant milestone," he stated. Pundir explained that the team's strategy during the final was to focus on spending time at the crease rather than fixating on a specific score. "Our goal was to bat for as long as possible, ideally aiming for 500-600 runs," he noted.

Match Summary: How the Final Played Out

In the first two days of the match, Jammu and Kashmir's batters displayed remarkable discipline. With Shubham Pundir leading the charge with 121 runs, and solid contributions from Yawer Hassan (88), Paras Dogra (70), Abdul Samad (61), Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70), and Sahil Lotra (72), the team amassed a formidable first-innings total of 584 runs. Despite J-K's dominance, Karnataka's Prasidh Krishna stood out with impressive bowling figures of 5/98 in 34.1 overs.

Karnataka, featuring international stars like KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal, struggled under pressure. Only Mayank Agarwal managed to score significantly with a brave 160 runs, but the team was ultimately bowled out for 293, giving Jammu and Kashmir a massive 291-run lead. J-K's Auqib Nabi was the standout bowler, taking 5 wickets for 54 runs in 23 overs, effectively sealing Karnataka's fate by Day 4.

In their second innings, Jammu and Kashmir continued their dominance 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, as the entire team celebrated their historic victory.