Auqib’s 55 wickets, Samad’s 655 runs define J&K season
Srinagar, Feb 18: Sixty-seven years after their Ranji Trophy debut, Jammu and Kashmir have reached their first-ever final. The side defeated two-time champions Bengal by six wickets on the fourth morning of the semifinal, chasing down 126 in 34.4 overs to script the biggest moment in their domestic cricket history.
The numbers underline the scale of the achievement. J&K first played the Ranji Trophy in the 1959-60 season and had never crossed the semifinal stage. Now, they stand just one win away from the title.
In the semifinal, Auqib Nabi Dar returned with a nine-wicket haul, taking his season tally to 55 wickets from 16 innings. Captain Paras Dogra also crossed 10,000 runs in Ranji Trophy cricket, becoming only the second player in the Indian domestic circuit to reach the landmark.
The semifinal turned on discipline with the ball and calmness with the bat. Bengal had put up 328 in the first innings. J&K responded with 302, staying within touching distance. The decisive blow came in the second innings when Bengal collapsed for 99 in just 25.1 overs. Auqib Nabi Dar took four for 36 in the innings, while Sunil Kumar picked up four for 27. Their combined effort broke the backbone of the home side and set up a modest target. Chasing 126, J&K resumed Day 4 at 43 for 2. They needed 83 runs more. Early wickets of Shubham Pundir, who made 27, and skipper Paras Dogra, who scored 9, gave Bengal hope. For a brief period, the contest tightened. The pitch offered some assistance and the pressure of history loomed large. Vanshaj Sharma and Abdul Samad absorbed that pressure. They stitched together a 55 run partnership that sealed the game.
Vanshaj remained unbeaten on 43, anchoring the innings with patience. Samad attacked when needed and finished unbeaten on 30 off 27 balls, striking one four and three sixes. The winning moment came without drama. The celebration that followed carried years of waiting.
This campaign reflects steady growth. J&K had reached the knockout stage in the 2013 and 14 season after a long gap, but they had not been viewed as serious contenders. This season has changed that perception. The bowling unit has delivered consistently. Auqib Nabi has led from the front with pace and control. Sunil Kumar has provided key breakthroughs at crucial times. The batting group has shown resilience in tight situations.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah congratulated the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team for reaching the Ranji Trophy final for the first time, calling it a landmark moment in the Union Territory’s sporting history.
In a message on X, the Lieutenant Governor praised the team’s semifinal victory and said the entire UT was proud of their performance. He said the players had written a golden chapter in J &K’s sporting journey and wished them success in the final.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the achievement reflected the collective effort of the players and support staff. He congratulated the team on behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and described the qualification for the final as a historic accomplishment.
He also expressed hope that the milestone would inspire more young cricketers from the region to represent the country and contribute to Indian cricket.
