Jammu and Kashmir cricketers celebrate after becoming Ranji Trophy champions. Photo: PTI.
Jammu and Kashmir’s historic win will see them dominate Karnatakafinally won their first Ranji Trophy after a 67-year wait. Karnataka had little chance of returning to the 2026 final thanks to a dominating lead in the first innings and total dominance throughout five days.
“It is no longer a dream, but a reality. ‘The wait is finally over, it took us nearly seven decades to be known as the national champions’.”
Using sophisticated words was unnecessary for Parvez Rasool. Jammu and Kashmir’s 67-year wait is summed up in his most recent PTI editorial.
With a commanding 291-run first-innings lead over Karnataka, Jammu and Kashmir won the 2026 Ranji Trophy, their first victory in India’s top domestic tournament in almost 70 years.
Jammu & Kashmir has participated in the Ranji Trophy for decades, aiming for a successful week.
They stayed for five days this time and completed the task , Jammu and Kashmir’s historic win will see them dominate Karnataka.
The foundation was set by J&K’s 584-run first innings total. They gained early control in the final thanks to partnerships rather than a one outstanding inning. By the end of Day 2, Karnataka was already catching up thanks to Sahil Lotra’s undefeated fifty, Shubham Pundir set the tone at the top, while Paras Dogra’s steady half-century held the middle.
Also Read : To demonstrate P.C. Sarkar’s magic versus India, the West Indies return to the prestigious Eden Gardens.
Table of Contents
Karnataka never really settled on a response.
KL Rahul was removed early by Auqib Nabi, who then destroyed the middle order to leave the hosts at 57 for 4. Mayank Agarwal put up a valiant 160, but he never received the help he needed. J&K took a 291-run lead after Karnataka was knocked out for 293, virtually sealing Jammu and Kashmir’s historic win .
The strategy was straightforward after that: maintain control.
Jammu & Kashmir chose to bat again and extend the match past Karnataka’s grasp rather than pushing the pace.
Sahil Lotra and Qamran Iqbal took control of the game when they rallied from 11 for 2 and clear path for Jammu and Kashmir’s historic win .
The two became comfortable and subtly transformed the final into a protracted wait for Karnataka across Days 4 and 5. As they battled time, absorbed pressure, and pushed the game farther out of reach, what started as rebuilding quickly turned into control.
By the time the last day arrived, Karnataka had given up on winning. They were merely attempting to persevere.
Shortly after lunch, the announcement was made.
Karnataka didn’t argue against it. They were already well out of reach of the match.
The final was set in motion by AUQIB NABI.
Jammu and Kashmir’s historic win will see them dominate Karnataka. Auqib Nabi made sure the lead became crucial when Jammu and Kashmir amassed 584.
The right-arm pacer gave J&K a dominating 291-run lead in the first innings by bowling Karnataka out for 293 with a match-changing five-wicket haul. He made crucial breakthroughs by dismissing KL Rahul early on and then hitting twice in quick succession to upset Karnataka’s middle order before coming back to break Mayank Agarwal’s fight.
In an incredible season, it was again another outstanding effort.I had a dream of winning this event when I first joined the squad. We have been trying for a while, but we have had a lot of difficulties. At the post-match presentation, Nabi declared, “At last, we have won the tournament.”
Only three pacers in Ranji Trophy history have taken 60 wickets in a single season, including Nabi, who finished as the tournament’s top wicket-taker.For one of reason Jammu and Kashmir’s historic win the tournament.
His impact in the final now feels like the performance that has propelled him into a larger discourse, as he has already won an IPL deal with the Delhi Capitals worth Rs 8.4 lakh for 2026.
The mastermind of historic achievement, the “lost” Ajay
Ajay Sharma, who behind Jammu and Kashmir’s historic win will see them dominate Karnataka. He represented the nation in 31 ODIs and one Test match, was not present. For a few years, the former Delhi batsman had no link to cricket. Mithun Manhas located Sachin Tendulkar, a former teammate of Kapil Dev, Mohammad Azharuddin, and assigned him the Jammu and Kashmir Ranji team. Under Ajay’s tutelage, Jammu and Kashmir made cricket history in India.
Manhas was Director of Cricket in Jammu and Kashmir prior to being elected President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He was the one that gave Ajay control over the state team. On Saturday, the last day of the game, Ajay was stating, “I had moved away from cricket.” I was also trusted by the authorities in Jammu and Kashmir. You may argue that I was reborn.
“How did you get the team to this point?” “This is red-ball cricket,” Ajay explained. Not Twenty20. At the start of the season, I told the cricket players this. A bowler cannot hit you. You don’t have to hit sixes. The goal of scoring runs per over is nonexistent. You should not take any chances. I removed him from the starting eleven despite seeing a propensity to hit a bowler in the nets. You must spend as much time as you can on the wicket.
Ajay had to start from scratch when he made his national jersey debut at Eden Gardens. He guided a squad to victory that hadn’t advanced to the Ranji Trophy semifinals in 66 years.
Captain Parash Dogra speech
What does being a champion feel like? Even after winning the honor, Captain Parash Dogra was unable to articulate his emotions. “I’m at a loss for words,” he remarked. I can’t put it into words. It still amazes me that I’ve won a championship. It will take me a while. All I can say is that this is my greatest accomplishment to yet. Since the start of the season, we, the 14–15 team, have made an effort to give every ball our all. This is not simply the accomplishment of the 11 players on the pitch. It is everyone’s success. Everyone, including our coach and officials. After Jammu and Kashmir’s historic win will see them dominate Karnataka.
How does it feel to be a champion? Captain Parash Dogra could not even express his feelings after receiving the honor. “I’m at a loss for words,” he said. I’m at a loss for words. The fact that I’ve won a title still astounds me. I’ll need some time. I can only say that this is my biggest achievement to yet. We, the 14-15 team, have tried to give every ball our best effort from the beginning of the season. This goes beyond what the 11 players on the field have accomplished. Everyone benefits from it. Everyone, even the officials and our coach.
Lotra and Qamran close the door.
Before changing tactics, Qamran patiently rebuilt after early setbacks left J&K at 11 for 2 in the second innings. He continued his effort on Day 5 and finished with a dominant 160, while Lotra equaled the moment with his own century, finishing at 101. Together, they took Jammu and Kashmir to 342 for 4
after lunch, J&K declared, and Karnataka effectively acknowledged what the scoreboard had been saying for hours — the game was already gone.