Jammu and Kashmir created history by winning their first-ever Ranji Trophy title after a remarkable performance against Karnataka in the final on Saturday.
J&K secured the title by taking a huge 291-run first-innings lead over eight-time champions Karnataka.
On the final day, they strengthened their position further by reaching 342 for 4 in their second innings, extending the overall lead to 633 runs. Karnataka failed to take a single wicket on the fifth day, showing J&K’s complete dominance.
Opener Qamran Iqbal played a brilliant unbeaten knock of 160, while Sahil Lotra scored his maiden century with an unbeaten 101. Both innings played a key role in sealing the historic win.
This victory is special because Jammu and Kashmir have been part of the Ranji Trophy for 67 years but had never won the title before. In previous seasons, they reached the quarterfinals but could not move ahead. This time, the team showed confidence, patience, and strong teamwork throughout the season.
Fast bowler Auqib Nabi once again impressed by taking five wickets in the final, continuing his excellent form this season. Captain Paras Dogra achieved a major milestone by crossing 10,000 Ranji Trophy runs.
Yawer Hassan, Abdul Samad, Kanhaiya Wadhawan, and Shubham Pundir also made important contributions during the tournament.
In the semifinal against Bengal, J&K showed great fighting spirit. After falling behind in the first innings, they bounced back strongly and bowled Bengal out for just 88 in the second innings, booking their place in the final.
The final moment came at 2:10 pm when both captains agreed to end the match, officially confirming J&K as champions. Celebrations began immediately in the dressing room and across the region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the team on social media, calling it a historic triumph that reflects grit, discipline, and passion. He said it is a proud moment for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and expressed hope that the victory will inspire young athletes to dream big and play more sports.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended his heartfelt congratulations to the youth of the region and the team. He said the victory fills every citizen with pride and reflects the spirit of a new and progressive Jammu and Kashmir driven by peace and development.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha described the win as a defining moment in the Union Territory’s sporting history. He praised the players and coaching staff for their dedication and outstanding performance and said the achievement marks J&K’s finest hour in cricket.
This historic win is expected to boost sports culture in the region and encourage more young players to take up cricket and other sports with confidence and hope.(KINS)
