In a stunning breakthrough for Indian domestic cricket, Jammu & Kashmir has scripted history by reaching the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 final for the first time, leaving powerhouses in awe. The decisive clash against Karnataka is underway in Hubli, with right-arm pacer Aaqib Nabi emerging as the architect of this improbable run.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has showered praise on Nabi’s exploits and urged the BCCI to fast-track him into the national squad. Taking to X, Ganguly wrote, ‘J&K has shown the world what grit and determination can achieve. They’ve made their region proud. Tough environments forge tough players. Aaqib Nabi is ready for the big stage. Should start with England this summer.’ He tagged BCCI and chief selector Ajit Agarkar in the post.
India’s upcoming tour of England in July features five T20Is and three ODIs, a crucial preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Ganguly believes Nabi deserves a spot there. Nabi’s heroics have been pivotal: he claimed Player of the Match in both quarterfinal and semifinal, scalping 8 wickets against Madhya Pradesh and 9 against Bengal while chipping in with 42 runs.
In the final’s first innings, Nabi dismantled Karnataka with 5/54 from 23 overs, bundling them out for 293 despite Mayank Agarwal’s defiant 160. J&K, after winning the toss and batting first, posted a mammoth 584, powered by Shubham Pundir’s 121, Yawar Hasan Khan’s 88, Sahil Lotra’s 72, and half-centuries from Kanhaiya Wadhavan, captain Paras Dogra (both 70), and Abdul Samad (61).
This gives J&K a commanding 291-run lead. Should the match end in a draw, the first-innings advantage seals the title for them. Nabi’s rise from the challenging terrains of J&K to national contention underscores the depth of talent in India’s domestic circuit, and Ganguly’s endorsement could be the catalyst for his international debut.