Srinagar, Feb 28: Jammu and Kashmir ended a 67-year wait for a Ranji Trophy title with a historic triumph over Karnataka in the final, sealing the crown on the basis of a massive first innings lead in a drawn contest.
J&K piled up 584 in their first innings and followed it with 342 for four in the second. Karnataka were restricted to 293. The draw was enough. The first innings advantage confirmed J&K as champions and set off celebrations across the Union Territory.
This was J&K’s first appearance in a Ranji Trophy final. In 67 years of participation in India’s premier domestic competition, they had never lifted the trophy. Saturday changed that record.
The build up to this moment reflects steady progress. Before this season, J&K had reached the quarterfinals three times. They entered the last eight in 2013 to 14 and repeated the feat in 2019 to 20. In 2024 to 25, they once again made the quarterfinals but suffered heartbreak. Kerala advanced to the semifinals after taking a slender one run first innings lead. That narrow exit stayed with the squad.
This season, they responded with clarity and control. In the final, the batters laid a strong foundation. Shubham Pundir’s century proved vital and earned him the Player of the Match award. The bowlers then ensured the advantage counted.
Aaqib Nabi Dar led that charge. He claimed his seventh five wicket haul of the season in the final and maintained pressure throughout the campaign. Nabi finished the Ranji Trophy 2025 to 26 as the leading wicket taker with 60 wickets. His tally stands as the seventh highest by any bowler in a single Ranji season and the third highest among fast bowlers. Only Jaydev Unadkat with 67 wickets in 2019 to 20 and Dodda Ganesh with 62 in 1998 to 99 have taken more among pacers in one edition.
In the final, his accuracy and discipline limited Karnataka, eight time champions, to 293. That first innings lead proved decisive. In the second innings, J&K shut the door by reaching 342 for four before the match ended in a draw.
Captain Paras Dogra said the team learned from last season’s one run setback and treated every run as crucial this year. The focus on small margins delivered big results.
The title is expected to boost cricket across J&K. Young players now have a clear example of what sustained effort can achieve.
After 67 years of waiting, J&K have finally lifted the Ranji Trophy. The drought has ended, and a new chapter begins.
Prasidh Krishna and Shikhar Shetty managed wickets at intervals, but the pitch offered little assistance and the bowlers could not contain the run flow. Extras contributed 34 runs, further adding to Karnataka’s worries.
With three wickets still in hand, J&K are firmly in command and will aim to stretch the total even further when play resumes. Karnataka now face the challenge of responding strongly with the bat to stay alive in the contest.
For J&K, two disciplined days have brought them closer to a historic first Ranji title, as they continue to dictate terms in the final.
