Hubli is set to host a thrilling Ranji Trophy Elite 2025-26 final as Jammu and Kashmir take on Karnataka starting February 24 at the KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground. For Paras Dogra’s spirited J&K side, this is their golden opportunity to claim their first-ever domestic title, a historic moment that could transform cricket in the region. On the other side, Devdutt Padikkal’s Karnataka, with eight previous triumphs, are hungry to end a long title drought spanning over a decade.
J&K’s journey this season has been nothing short of remarkable. They kicked off with a 35-run loss to Mumbai but bounced back fiercely, remaining undefeated thereafter. Key victories included a hard-fought win over Delhi in the capital, followed by triumphs against Madhya Pradesh in Indore and Bengal in Kalyani. Players like Abdul Samad, Shubham Khajuria, and the fiery Umaran Malik have been pivotal, blending resilience with skill to reach this summit clash.
Karnataka, meanwhile, showcased their batting firepower in the semi-final against Uttarakhand, piling up 736 in the first innings and 323 in the second. Despite a heavy 217-run defeat to Madhya Pradesh earlier, they’ve relied on stars like KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, and R Samarth for consistent runs. Captain Padikkal and Karun Nair are expected to recover in time, bolstering an already formidable lineup featuring Mayank Agarwal and Prasidh Krishna.
The match promises high drama, with J&K aiming to script history and Karnataka seeking to reclaim glory. Fans can catch the live telecast on Star Sports Network, with streaming on JioHotstar. Full squads: J&K – Paras Dogra (c), Abdul Samad, Shubham Khajuria, Kamarun Iqbal, Abid Mushtaq, Vivanrat Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Umran Malik, Yudhvir Singh, Aquib Nabi, Sunil Kumar, Lone Nasir, Muhtaba Yousuf, Musafir Ejaz, Sahil Lotra, Vanshaj Sharma, Umar Nazir Meer, Kanhaiya Wadhawan, Yawar Hassan. Karnataka – Devdutt Padikkal (c), Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, KV Anish, R Samarth, Shreyas Gopal, Kritik Krishna, Vaisakh Vijaykumar, Vidyadhar Patil, Vidwath Kaverappa, Prasidh Krishna, Mohsin Khan, Shikhar Shetty, KL Shrijit.
As the two teams gear up, all eyes are on who will lift the trophy in this battle of underdogs versus established giants.