In a stunning upset that will be etched in Indian cricket history, Jammu and Kashmir clinched their maiden Ranji Trophy title by defeating defending champions Karnataka in Hubli on February 28. Captain Paras Dogra’s men capitalized on a massive first-innings lead to claim the crown in a drawn final at the D.R. Bendre Cricket Stadium.
Dogra won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision that proved golden. Openers Shubham Pundir smashed a masterful 121, while Yawar Hassan Khan (88), Sahil Lotra (72), Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70), and skipper Dogra (70) all contributed crucial knocks to pile up 584 in the first dig. This commanding total set the tone for dominance.
Karnataka crumbled for just 293 in reply, with skipper Mayank Agarwal’s gritty 160 the lone bright spot. No other batter could anchor the innings. J&K’s bowlers shone: Aquib Nabi claimed a five-wicket haul, Sunil Kumar and Yudvir Singh grabbed two each, and Lotra chipped in with one.
Holding a 291-run lead, J&K stuttered early in their second innings, slipping to 11/2. But a heroic recovery followed, highlighted by an unbroken 197-run partnership between opener Kamran Iqbal (160*) and Lotra (101*). Dogra declared at 342/4 right after Lotra’s ton, sealing the victory via first-innings superiority.
The match ended in a draw, but J&K emerged as champions, ending Karnataka’s reign. Shubham Pundir was named Player of the Match, while Aquib Nabi took Player of the Tournament honors. This triumph marks a new era for J&K cricket, inspiring a region long starved of such glory.