Jammu and Kashmir created history on Tuesday by clinching their first-ever victory over Delhi in Ranji Trophy history at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, marking a milestone moment in their domestic cricket journey.
The emphatic win — J&K’s second outright triumph of the season — propelled them to second place in Elite Group D, just behind Mumbai.
Opting to bowl first, J&K’s pace spearhead Auqib Nabi delivered a fiery spell, claiming 5 wickets for 35 runs, while Vanshaj Sharma (2/57) and Abid Mushtaq (2/30) provided crucial support. Their combined effort skittled Delhi out for 211 in the first innings.
In reply, J&K’s batting unit showed resilience despite early setbacks. Paras Dogra anchored the innings with a masterful 106, while Abdul Samad added a fluent 85. Kanhaiya Wadhawan steady 47 helped J&K post 310, earning a 99-run first-innings lead.
Delhi looked set for a comeback in their second innings, reaching 267/5 with skipper Ayush Badoni (72) and Ayush Doseja (62) leading the charge. However, their fightback collapsed dramatically — losing five wickets for just 10 runs — as Vanshaj Sharma turned the game on its head with a devastating 6/68 spell.
Chasing 169 for victory, Qamran Iqbal produced a career-best unbeaten 133, guiding J&K to 179/3 and sealing a historic win in their 43rd Ranji encounter against Delhi.
The victory not only ended Delhi’s long-standing dominance but also underscored the rising stature of Jammu and Kashmir cricket in India’s domestic circuit.
J&K will next face Hyderabad in their Round 5 fixture at the Hostel Ground, JKCA, currently standing at the top of Elite Group D with two wins and one loss.(KINS)
