Jammu and Kashmir have created history. Fast bowler Auqib Nabi’s exploits with the ball, coupled with hundreds from Shubham Pundir in the first innings and Qamran Iqbal in the second has helped them pip an experienced Karnataka to the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy title. It marks the first time that the domestic underdogs have won India’s premier first-class title; a breathtaking turnaround for a team that was rarely ever taken seriously as opponents by most teams for the majority of their 67-year history in the Ranji Trophy.
This 2025/26 summit clash was their 346th match in Ranji history, and only their 47th win. It brings to an end a phenomenal season in which they lost just one match, which transpired in Srinagar against Mumbai.
Jammu and Kashmir declared their second innings on 342/4, after having made a whooping 584 in their first essay. Opener Iqbal scored an unbeaten 160 in 311 balls while Sahil Lotra made 101 in 226 balls. Their partnership was worth 197 when the two sides shook hands, with Jammu and Kashmir leading by an enormous 633 runs.
Brief Scores: Jammu & Kashmir 584 (Shubham Pundir 121, Yawer Hassan 88; Prasidh Krishna 5-98, Vijaykumar Vyshak 1-75) & 342/4 (Qamran Iqbal 160*, Sahil Lotra 101*; Prasidh Krishna 2-42) drew with Karnataka 293 (Mayank Agarwal 160; Auqib Nabi 5-54, Sunil Kumar 2-51). J&K won the title on the basis of first innings lead
