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 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.

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.