Jammu and Kashmir scripted a fairy-tale ending to their Ranji Trophy campaign, securing their first-ever title with a commanding draw against Karnataka in the summit clash. The achievement, built on a season of grit and tactical brilliance, has ignited celebrations and accolades from cricket’s biggest names.
The final unfolded dramatically over five days. J&K’s batsmen laid the foundation with 584 runs in the first innings, exploiting Karnataka’s bowling attack mercilessly. Karnataka managed only 293, trailing by 291 runs. J&K then batted on in their second dig, reaching 342 for 4 before declaring, sealing the trophy on superior first-innings score.
Sachin Tendulkar’s heartfelt tribute on X captured the essence: the evolution of J&K cricket from supporting roles to title winners, crediting consistent play and standout performances like Aukib Nabi’s bowling. ‘Such journeys showcase domestic cricket’s true charm,’ he added, congratulating the entire setup.
Mohammad Kaif drew parallels to his own triumph with UP, predicting a surge in confidence among J&K players. Shikhar Dhawan spotlighted captain Paras Dogra’s stewardship and the contributions of a cohesive unit including Shubham Pundir and others. Irfan Pathan expressed no doubts about future trophies, while Yuvraj Singh marveled at the ‘unbelievable’ feat after 67 years.
Yuzvendra Chahal praised the red-ball journey as motivational, underscoring hard work’s rewards. Harbhajan Singh lauded their team spirit and season-long dominance, and Aakash Chopra celebrated the ‘beautiful’ story, affirming Indian cricket’s bright future.
Beyond the scoreboard, this win symbolizes hope for Jammu and Kashmir, where cricket has long been a unifying force. As stars rally behind them, expect J&K to emerge as a domestic powerhouse, inspiring the next generation in the valley.