Opting to bat on winning the toss, J&K openers laid a solid platform. Shubham Pundir’s elegant 121 anchored the innings, supported by half-centuries from Yawar Hassan Khan (88), Sahil Lotra (72), Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70), and Dogra (70). The total swelled to 584, a mountain too steep for Karnataka.

The hosts faltered badly, bowled out for 293 despite Mayank Agarwal’s valiant 162. J&K’s attack was relentless—Aqib Nabi’s 5/xx dismantled the middle order, with Sunil Kumar, Yudvir Singh taking 2 wickets apiece, and Lotra adding one.

With a 291-run cushion, J&K’s second innings started shakily at 11/2. Enter Kamran Iqbal and Sahil Lotra, who forged an unbeaten 197-run stand. Iqbal’s 160* and Lotra’s 101* propelled them to 342/4 declared, forcing the draw and clinching the title.

Pundir earned Player of the Match plaudits, Nabi the tournament award. For J&K, this isn’t just a win—it’s a statement of resilience from a team that defied odds, rewriting their cricketing narrative forever.

‘Kar dikhaya, well done Jammu & Kashmir,’ Abdullah wrote on X, sharing euphoric footage of the team’s joy. From Srinagar to Jammu, streets buzzed with festive fervor as the state embraced this historic feat.

Recapping the thriller: J&K, after winning the toss, chose to bat and racked up 584 in the first dig. Standout performances came from Shubham Pundir (121), Yawar Hasan Khan (88), Sahil Lotra (72), Kanhaiya Wadhavan (70), and captain Paras Dogra (70). Karnataka managed only 293, propped up by Mayank Agarwal’s defiant 160.

Bowling maestro Aquib Nabi ripped through with 5 wickets, supported by Sunil Kumar and Yudhvir Singh’s brace each, and Sahil Lotra’s one. With a massive 291-run lead, J&K’s second innings saw them declare at 342/4. Kamran Iqbal’s unbeaten 160 and Sahil Lotra’s 101 formed a match-winning unbroken stand of 197.

Draw declared, J&K crowned champions on first-innings superiority. Pundir grabbed Player of the Match, Nabi the tournament award. This win transcends sport, symbolizing hope and determination in a region long yearning for such glory.

In a post attributed to him on the LG office’s X handle, Sinha lauded the players’ bravery in forging a historic path. ‘My emotions transcend words as I witness our team conquering the Ranji Trophy. Thank you from the entire UT for making history immortal,’ he said, urging them to cherish the honor.

Echoing the sentiment, CM Omar Abdullah shared a festive video of the victorious squad on X, simply stating, ‘Kar dikhaya, well done J&K.’ The victory has ignited street parties and social media frenzy among fans, with national figures also extending their best wishes.

Diving into the decisive match against Karnataka at Hubli’s D.R. Bendre Stadium, J&K’s batsmen dominated after winning the toss. Shubham Pundir’s century (121), alongside valuable knocks from Yawar Hasan Khan (88), Sahil Lotra (72), Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70), and captain Paras Dogra (70), propelled them to 584 all out.

Karnataka folded for 293, despite Mayank Agarwal’s resilient 160. Aquib Nabi’s five-for dismantled the opposition, supported by two wickets each from Sunil Kumar and Yudhvir Singh, and one from Sahil Lotra. With a 291-run advantage, J&K’s second innings featured Kamar Iqbal’s unbeaten 160 and Sahil Lotra’s 101 not out in a 197-run stand, declaring at 342/4. The draw favored J&K as champions.

Beyond the scoreboard, this win represents hope and unity for J&K. It’s a testament to the team’s grit, honed through years of trials, and a beacon for young athletes dreaming big in the region.

Captain Paras Dogra’s men dominated from the outset. Electing to bat, they racked up 584, powered by Pundir’s century and gritty knocks from Khan, Lotra, Wadhavan, and Dogra himself. Karnataka folded for 293, trailing by 291 runs—a lead that proved insurmountable.

J&K’s second innings ended at 342/4 (declared), forcing a draw and clinching the trophy. CM Omar Abdullah, witnessing the glory live, declared ₹2 crore for the squad and staff. Posting a jubilant video on X, he said the win inspires the entire region, adding job assurances for the stars.

LG Manoj Sinha lauded the ‘tremendous players’ for etching history, proclaiming J&K’s golden era in sports. Overcoming Karnataka’s home advantage demanded extraordinary skill and nerve, which J&K displayed all season. This victory transcends cricket, symbolizing unity and determination in a strife-torn area.

Fans flooded streets in celebration, while analysts hail it as a turning point. With top-tier performances and strategic brilliance, J&K has arrived on the national stage, promising more glory ahead.

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.

For decades, J&K were minnows, easy prey for elite teams. No facilities, no stars—just defeats. The 90s epitomized this struggle, with the team lacking the basics to compete.

Enter Bishan Singh Bedi, whose coaching in the early 2010s reshaped mindsets. He cultivated aggression and tactical nous, propelling J&K to their first quarterfinal in 2013-14. Confidence soared.

2014-15 brought immortality: Parvez Rasool’s men stunned Mumbai in the group stage, a feat that redefined their potential. The 2019 constitutional shift ushered in reforms—transparent selections, infrastructure boom with modern academies, and BCCI’s direct support for gear and global exposure.

Mithun Manhas’s leadership at the J&K Cricket Association was pivotal. His reforms and decision to hire Ajay Sharma as coach in 2022 turned the page. Sharma’s emphasis on mental toughness and on-field execution galvanized the squad under Paras Dogra.

Standout performers included Aquib Nabi Dar, whose 60 wickets terrorized batsmen, and clutch contributions from Shubham Pundir and Dogra. This victory signals J&K’s arrival as a force, promising more silverware and a blueprint for perseverance in Indian domestic cricket.

Batting at No. 3 after retiring hurt the previous day, Dogra faced Prasidh Krishna. An edge for four off the bowler led to trash talk from Anish at forward short leg. What started as verbal jabs escalated when Dogra stormed towards the fielder, delivering a head strike. Mayank Agarwal rushed in to separate the duo amid rising tempers.

Insiders reveal Anish’s nonstop sledging pushed Dogra over the edge. Recalling day one’s blow to his gloves from Vaishak Vijaykumar’s bouncer—leaving him on 9 off 48—the captain’s frustration boiled over.

A brief truce followed umpire intervention and Dogra’s apology, though Anish refused to accept it. Tensions simmered as Wadhavan and Vijaykumar then bumped elbows during a quick single, staring each other down.

Historic stakes add fuel: Jammu & Kashmir’s maiden final run after toss win and batting first. At 464/5 in 139 overs, highlights included Pundir’s 121, Hasan’s 88, Samad’s 61, Wadhavan’s 70, with Dogra unbeaten on 65 alongside Lotra’s 25*. Karnataka must now plot a comeback in this gripping encounter.

It unfolded in J&K’s 101st over. After dispatching Prassidh Krishna for four, Dogra sparred verbally with Anish. He then charged, delivering a headbutt that left the Karnataka player nursing an injury despite his helmet.

Mayank Agarwal stepped up to de-escalate, aided by umpires. Dogra later sought forgiveness, allegedly snubbed by Anish. The episode drew ire from Karnataka’s experienced campaigners.

Tension lingered as Vyshak and Wadhavan nearly came to blows in the next confrontation during running between wickets.

Reflecting afterward, Dogra called it ‘minor over-enthusiasm typical in finals,’ insisting reconciliation followed. Wadhavan echoed, labeling it mutual sledging resolved swiftly: ‘No intent, just cricket’s edge.’

A Ranji legend at 41 with 10,000+ runs, Dogra’s 70-run knock propelled J&K to 527/6. Yet, this fine casts a shadow over his milestone performance in a match poised for thriller status.

Karnataka chases history with a potential ninth championship, building on their storied dominance. J&K, however, carries the weight of a nation’s hope for their first-ever title, a breakthrough that would mark a new era in Indian domestic cricket.

Pitch curator’s insights reveal a grassy yet drying track. Initial swing and seam movement are likely under overcast skies, transitioning to spin-friendly conditions later. Bat-first verdict aligns perfectly with these nuances.

Captain Dogra was pragmatic post-toss: ‘Pitches dry later with possible spin. Simple plan, divine blessings, good cricket played. Focus on fundamentals amid forced tweaks to the side.’

Padikkal shrugged off the toss: ‘Irrelevant really—lost three already. Wanted to bowl too. Final appearance is massive for our fresh faces in season one or two. Squad remains steady.’

Full line-ups: J&K – Kamar Iqbal, Yawar Hasan, Shubham Pundir, Paras Dogra (capt), Abdul Samad, Kanhaiya Wadhawan (keeper), Abid Mushtaq, Aquib Nabi Dar, Yudhvir Charak, Sahil Lotra, Sunil Kumar.

Karnataka – KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Devdatt Padikkal (capt), Karun Nair, Smaran Ravichandran, Shreyas Gopal, Kruthik Krishna (wk), Vidyadhar Patil, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Shikhar Shetty, Prasidh Krishna.

With heavyweights like KL Rahul and Abdul Samad in the mix, expect fireworks. This final isn’t just about the trophy—it’s a narrative of perseverance, youth, and unyielding ambition in India’s premier red-ball spectacle.

The victory parade of accolades began with LG Manoj Sinha’s heartfelt message: ‘Congratulations to J&K team for the splendid semifinal win. You’ve created a new golden chapter in J&K’s sports history. The whole UT is proud of your performance.’

CM Omar Abdullah celebrated the feat on social media, attributing it to unwavering determination and rising sports ethos. ‘Heartiest congratulations to J&K Ranji team for semifinal win and qualifying for the final first time. Special mention to Capt Paras Dogra for 10,000+ Ranji runs and Aquib Nabi’s 9-wicket haul in semis, totaling 55 wickets this season,’ his office shared, wishing the team luck for the finale.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary posted, ‘Big congrats to J&K cricket team for reaching Ranji final first time and making history. Your patience, resolve, and spirit have filled the region with pride. Best wishes for the final.’

Irfan Pathan, the celebrated all-rounder and former J&K coach, was ecstatic. ‘J&K reaches first Ranji Trophy final – history created! So proud seeing these lads elevate J&K cricket. Brilliant innings by Abdul Samad. Shoutout to Aquib Nabi for back-to-back Player of the Match awards.’

This breakthrough victory highlights J&K’s growing prowess in domestic cricket, overcoming odds to challenge for the prestigious title. With seasoned performers like Dogra and Nabi leading the charge, expectations are sky-high as they gear up for the ultimate test, potentially bringing the trophy home and etching their names in cricketing folklore.