After nearly seven many years of waiting, Jammu and Kashmir have finally etched their name in history as Ranji Trophy winners. Under the leadership of Paras Dogra, the team achieved a landmark triumph on Saturday within the 2025–26 final against Karnataka on the KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground in Hubli.
Although the summit clash ended and not using a result, J&K were declared champions based on their dominant first-innings advantage. They outplayed the eight-time titleholders with the bat, occupying the crease for near two and a half days to seal a memorable victory.
After Dogra called time on the second innings at 342/4, the skippers from each side mutually decided to shake hands and accept a draw. Moments later, the whole Jammu and Kashmir contingent rushed onto the bottom to start their historic celebrations.
Earlier on Sunday, J&K had continued their batting dominance, with opener Qamran Iqbal smashing 100 after coming into the XI on the last moment rather than the injured Shubham Khajuria. The final result had virtually been decided by the tip of Day 4, which was clear from Karnataka’s approach on the ultimate morning.
𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐉𝐀𝐌𝐌𝐔 & 𝐊𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐌𝐈𝐑! 🏆
🎥 An outpouring of pure, unadulterated emotion as J&K conquer the summit to say their first-ever #RanjiTrophy crown 🫡
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/G0ytZLEyNB@IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/XRyia1coda
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 28, 2026
Their frontline pacers, Prasidh Krishna and Vijaykumar Vyshak, weren’t handed a single over. As an alternative, skipper Devdutt Padikkal shuffled his bowling options between Shreyas Gopal, Vidyadhar Patil and Shikhar Shetty, while also tossing the ball to part-time options KL Rahul and Karun Nair because the match drifted towards its inevitable conclusion.
Iqbal Hits Century As J&K Batters Stay Regular
Jammu and Kashmir’s overnight batters showed no signs of haste, steadily working their way through the opening session with composure. Iqbal needed 28 balls to progress from 94 to his century, eventually reaching the landmark with a 4 off spinner Shreyas Gopal. During that phase, he also overturned a caught-behind verdict on 98 after successfully choosing a review.
The side added 99 runs in 38 overs through the morning session without losing a wicket, heading into lunch at 285/4 after 95 overs. From the stands, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and BCCI president Mithun Manhas witnessed the closing stages as Dogra’s team accomplished the formalities and sealed a historic triumph.
Earlier within the match, J&K had chosen to bat first after winning the toss. A superb hundred from Shubham Pundir, together with fifties by Shail Lotra, Kanhaiya Wadhawan and Dogra, guided them to an imposing total of 584 before being bowled out.
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