HUBLI, February 27: Jammu and Kashmir tightened their grip on the Ranji Trophy Elite 2025-26 final against Karnataka with a commanding performance on day four at the KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground. By stumps, J&K reached 186 for 4 in their second innings, extending their overall lead to a massive 477 runs.
Karnataka’s first innings came to a shuddering halt at 293 all out, with Mayank Agarwal’s masterful 160 off 21 fours standing out as the lone bright spot. His 79-run stand with Krithik Krishna for the sixth wicket offered brief hope, but the innings crumbled thereafter, losing the last four wickets for just 52 runs.
J&K’s bowlers dominated, led by Aqib Nabi’s stellar 5 for 54 from 23 overs. Sunil Kumar and Yudhvir Singh chipped in with two wickets apiece, securing a first-innings lead of 291 runs after J&K’s towering 584 in their first dig.
The second innings began shakily for J&K, losing Yawar Hasan for 1 and Shubham Pundir for 4 to Prassiddha Krishna. Captain Paras Dogra added 16 before falling to the same bowler. But Kamran Iqbal (94 not out) and Abdul Samad (32) steadied with a crucial 73-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Iqbal remained unbeaten alongside Sahil Lotra (16*), poised to push for victory on the final day.
With such a dominant position, J&K are favorites to clinch their maiden Ranji title, while Karnataka face an uphill battle to mount a comeback.