In a thrilling Ranji Trophy Elite 2025-26 final at Hubli’s KSCA ground, Jammu and Kashmir held the upper hand against Karnataka after day three, thanks to their towering first-innings score of 584. Yet, Mayank Agarwal’s unbeaten 130 turned the tide momentarily, leaving Karnataka at 220 for five, 364 adrift.
The hosts stumbled out of the blocks. KL Rahul’s patient 13 ended abruptly, paving the way for a top-order collapse. Devdutt Padikkal scratched around for 11, while Karun Nair and Smanan Ravichandran failed to trouble the scorers. By the time stumps were drawn on the 18th over, four wickets had tumbled for just 57 runs.
Mayank Agarwal emerged as Karnataka’s beacon. Partnering Shreyas Gopal, he forged a match-saving 105-run partnership that breathed life into the innings. Gopal’s 27 provided solid support before he fell. Undeterred, Mayank linked with Kirthik Krishna for an unbroken 58-run stand, featuring 17 fours in his knock, as Krishna contributed 27 with two boundaries.
Jammu and Kashmir’s attack was led by the impressive Aquib Nabi Dar, who bagged three scalps for 32 runs. Sunil Kumar and Yudhvir Singh Charak chipped in with one apiece, ensuring no easy runs were on offer.
Recapping J&K’s innings: Shubham Pundir’s classy 121, laced with 14 boundaries, headlined a clinical batting display. Yawar Hassan’s 88 and a 124-run stand with Abdul Samad (61) set the platform. Skipper Paras Dogra (70) and Sahil Lotra (72) piled on the misery for Karnataka’s bowlers. Prassid Krishna’s 5/98 was the standout effort, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the massive total.
As the final enters its business end, Mayank’s resilience offers hope, but J&K’s bowlers will look to wrap up the innings swiftly tomorrow.