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.

On a gripping day at Hubli, Aqib dismantled Karnataka’s batting with three key wickets. This performance caps a dream season where he played every game, amassing 58 wickets regardless of pitch conditions or challenges.

Taking to X, Karthik shared his insights from closely tracking the tournament. He advised all young boys and girls dreaming of donning the national colors to emulate Aqib’s grit. ‘Dominating domestic tournaments single-handedly is the path to the top,’ Karthik noted, praising Aqib’s sustained pressure from the first ball to the last.

Karthik singled out Aqib’s fitness regime, ability to bowl long spells, and adaptability to diverse soils. Even without pitch assistance, Aqib delivered for his side, proving his mettle in critical moments.

As the final unfolds, Jammu & Kashmir’s first innings total of 584 sets a daunting target. Shubham Pundir’s century (121), alongside solid contributions from captain Paras Dogra (70) and Yawar Hassan (88), powered the innings. Karnataka ended day three at 220/5, still 364 behind, with Mayank Agarwal anchoring on 130* and Krithik Krishna on 27.

Karthik’s endorsement underscores Aqib’s trajectory toward stardom, inspiring a new generation with his resilience and talent.

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.

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.

The innings started shakily with Kamran Iqbal out for 6, but Yawar Hasan (88, 13 fours) and Shubham Pundir resurrected it through a 139-run alliance. Captain Paras Dogra, who retired hurt early for 9, watched Pundir (121, 12×4, 2×6) partner Abdul Samad (61) for 124 to cross 300.

Resuming on day two, Dogra unleashed with Kanhaiya Wadhawan, who scored a brisk 70 (9 fours). Dogra followed with 70 (8 fours), sharing 54 with Sahil Lotra. Unbeaten at stumps, Lotra smashed 57 (97 balls, 7 fours) and Abid Mushtaq 20 (2 fours), adding 56 unbroken.

Karnataka bowlers struggled, led by Prasidd Krishna’s 3 scalps. Others like Patil, Gopal, and Shetty picked one apiece. With momentum firmly in their grasp, J&K eyes a declaration to test Karnataka’s batting.

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

Karnataka squad: KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Devdutt Padikkal (skipper), Karun Nair, Smaran Ravichandran, Suyash Gopal, Krithik Krishna (wk), Vidyadhar Patil, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Shikhar Shetty, Prasidd Krishna.

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.

An early jolt came at 18/1 as Kamran Iqbal was dismissed cheaply for 6. Enter Yawar Hasan, who partnered Pundir brilliantly for 139 runs. Hasan’s 88 off 150 balls, laced with 13 fours, set a solid platform before his departure.

Paras Dogra added a quick 9 in company of Pundir before being forced to retire hurt. Pundir, undeterred, teamed up with Abdul Samad for an unbroken 105-run alliance. The star batter’s vigil spanned 221 balls, including 12 boundaries and a couple of sixes, while Samad’s aggressive 52 came from 67 deliveries.

Prasidh Krishna toiled hard for Karnataka, snaring both wickets for 36 runs in 16 overs. As the captains—Dogra for J&K and Padikkal for Karnataka—eye glory, J&K’s first-innings intent signals a fierce battle ahead. Karnataka must strike early tomorrow to claw back into contention.

BCCI chief Mithun Manhas and KSCA head Venkatesh Prasad cut the ribbon in the presence of Jammu & Kashmir and Karnataka teams. The timing, amidst the title clash, amplified the significance of honoring Joshi’s journey from domestic stalwart to national hero.

Joined by his wife Ravneet, Joshi fought back tears as the crowd applauded. Prominent guest Prahlad Joshi, Karnataka’s ex-CM and current Union Minister, underscored the event’s prestige.

‘I never dreamed of this day,’ Joshi told the media. ‘Heartfelt thanks to Venkatesh Prasad and Sintoosh Menon. This is the true reward for my unwavering commitment to cricket.’

Joshi’s international stats paint a picture of reliability: 41 Test wickets across 15 matches with 352 runs, and 69 ODI wickets plus 584 runs in 69 games. Domestically, he dominated with 615 first-class wickets in 160 outings (5,129 runs) and 192 List A scalps in 163 matches (1,729 runs).

Post-retirement, his influence grew as a national selector, including during India’s triumphant 2020/21 Australia series. He later shaped IPL strategies as Punjab Kings’ spin coach until 2025.

Today, at BCCI’s Bengaluru Centre of Excellence, Joshi’s coaching prowess shone as India’s U-19 side won the World Cup this month. The pavilion immortalizes a career defined by spin mastery and selfless service.

Jammu and Kashmir’s campaign turned heads after recovering from an initial 35-run defeat to Mumbai. They dominated Delhi at home, crushed Madhya Pradesh in Indore, and outplayed Bengal in Kalyani to storm into the final. Standouts include pace sensation Umran Malik and all-round contributions from Aquib Nabi and Shubham Khajuria, fueling hopes of a historic win that could inspire a cricket revolution in the union territory.

Karnataka enters with momentum from their semi-final demolition of Uttarakhand, amassing over 1,000 runs across two innings. Their sole loss came against Madhya Pradesh by 217 runs, but batting mainstays KL Rahul, R Samarth, and Padikkal have been relentless. With Karun Nair nearing full fitness and bowlers like Prasidh Krishna and Vidwath Kaverappa in form, they’re primed for dominance.

Cricket enthusiasts won’t miss this epic showdown. Tune into Star Sports for live coverage or stream on JioHotstar. Complete line-ups: Jammu & Kashmir: Paras Dogra (capt), Abdul Samad, Shubham Khajuria, Kamarun Iqbal, Abid Mushtaq, Vivanrat Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Umran Malik, Yudhvir Singh, Aquib Nabi, Sunil Kumar, Lone Nasir, Muhtaba Yousuf, Musafir Ejaz, Sahil Lotra, Vanshaj Sharma, Umar Nazir Meer, Kanhaiya Wadhawan, Yawar Hassan. Karnataka: Devdutt Padikkal (capt), Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, KV Anish, R Samarth, Shreyas Gopal, Kritik Krishna, Vaisakh Vijaykumar, Vidyadhar Patil, Vidwath Kaverappa, Prasidh Krishna, Mohsin Khan, Shikhar Shetty, KL Shrijit.

Expect tactical battles, fiery spells, and run feasts as J&K challenges Karnataka’s legacy in what could be a final for the ages.

J&K earned their spot by outclassing Bengal in the semifinals, a feat boosted by Aqib Nabi Dar’s heroics. The lanky seamer took nine wickets in that match, adding to his quarterfinal haul of 12 against Madhya Pradesh. His ability to strike repeatedly has been the cornerstone of J&K’s surprising run.

Recapping the semifinal: Bengal set a solid 328 in the first innings. J&K faltered slightly at 302 but stayed in contention thanks to Abdul Samad’s resolute 82 and captain Paras Dogra’s 58. The tide turned decisively in J&K’s second bowling effort, where Aqib and Sunil Kumar ran through Bengal for a paltry 99—all out in a flash.

With four wickets each, the duo set up an easy chase of 126. Vanshaj Sharma anchored with an unbeaten 43, and Samad’s 30 off 27 sealed the victory losing just four wickets. Shami’s counsel cuts through the noise of pressure: zero in on the stumps, block out the rest. For a team chasing glory, this mindset shift might just unlock triumph.