In a display of sheer dominance, Jammu and Kashmir have all but sealed the Ranji Trophy Elite 2025-26 crown after day four of the final against Karnataka in Hubli. Ending at 186 for 4 in their second innings, J&K’s lead swelled to 477 runs, leaving Karnataka staring down the barrel.
Karnataka folded for 293 in their first innings, despite Mayank Agarwal’s heroic 160 laced with 21 boundaries. Krithik Krishna (36) and Shreyas Gopal (27) provided minor support, but the middle order collapsed post a vital 79-run alliance with Agarwal.
Aqib Nabi was the wrecker-in-chief, claiming 5 for 54 in a marathon 23-over spell. Backed by Sunil Kumar and Yudhvir Singh’s twin hauls of two wickets each, J&K capitalized on their first-innings 584 to claim a 291-run advantage.
J&K’s chase stuttered early with early blows to Hasan (1), Pundir (4), and Dogra (16), all to Prassiddha Krishna. Enter Kamran Iqbal and Abdul Samad, who forged a match-turning 73-run stand. Samad departed for 32, but Iqbal’s unbeaten 94, paired with Lotra’s 16, sets the stage for a potential declaration and swift victory tomorrow.
Karnataka’s faint hopes now hinge on an improbable batting miracle, but J&K’s bowlers look primed to wrap up the title in style.