Jammu & Kashmir Win Maiden Ranji Trophy 2025–26, End 67-Year Wait with Historic Triumph
By: Javid Amin | 28 February 2026
Hubballi, February 28 — History, Finally
After 67 years of waiting, striving, and believing, Jammu & Kashmir are Ranji Trophy champions.
On a defining afternoon in Hubballi, the final whistle confirmed what once seemed improbable: J&K had lifted their maiden Ranji Trophy title, defeating Karnataka in the 2025–26 final and carving their name into the elite roll of Indian domestic cricket.
For a team that entered India’s premier domestic competition in 1959, this victory ends decades of near-misses and underdog status. The Paradise roared — and Indian cricket listened.
The Match That Made History
The 2025–26 Ranji Trophy final was not won in a single session. It was seized across five days of disciplined, fearless cricket.
Day 1: Shubham Pundir Sets the Foundation
It began with a statement innings from Shubham Pundir.
His composed century on the opening day laid the structural base of the final. Calm under pressure, precise in stroke selection, and relentless in focus, Pundir’s ton ensured J&K did not merely compete — they dictated terms.
On the biggest stage in their cricketing history, J&K chose authority over caution.
Day 3–4: Auqib Nabi’s Firestorm
If Day 1 was about composure, Days 3 and 4 were about controlled aggression.
Seam-bowling allrounder Auqib Nabi delivered a spell that will be replayed for years in J&K cricketing folklore — 5/54 against a seasoned Karnataka batting lineup.
It was not just about wickets.
It was about dismantling belief.
Nabi attacked relentlessly, maintaining seam discipline and forcing errors. His seventh five-wicket haul of the season reaffirmed his status as the heartbeat of this campaign.
Karnataka, once hopeful of a comeback, were pushed firmly onto the back foot.
Day 5: Qamran Iqbal Seals the Crown
The final seal came from young opener Qamran Iqbal.
His defiant century on the final morning pushed J&K’s overall lead beyond 500 runs — effectively ending any realistic path for Karnataka.
It was an innings of maturity beyond his years. He absorbed pressure, rotated strike intelligently, and punished loose deliveries.
When the declaration came and Karnataka were left staring at an insurmountable mountain, the result was inevitable.
Moments later, history was confirmed.
Jammu & Kashmir — National Champions.
Official Result
Ranji Trophy 2025–26 Final
Jammu & Kashmir defeated Karnataka
Margin: Comprehensive victory after building a 500+ run advantage
This marks J&K’s first-ever Ranji Trophy title since joining the competition 67 years ago.
Voices of Pride
Omar Abdullah: “More Than a Trophy”
Present in the stands was Omar Abdullah, who flew to Hubballi to support the team.
After the win, he described it as:
“More than a trophy — this is a moment of pride for every Kashmiri.”
His presence underscored the emotional and symbolic magnitude of the occasion.
Parvez Rasool: Seven Decades in the Making
Former captain Parvez Rasool reflected with visible emotion:
“It has taken us nearly seven decades to be called national champions.”
His words captured what statistics alone cannot — the generational weight of this triumph.
Beyond Cricket: Why This Victory Matters
This title is not merely about runs and wickets.
For Jammu & Kashmir, it represents:
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Recognition
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Validation
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Sporting equality
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Opportunity
For decades, J&K cricket functioned away from mainstream attention. Infrastructure challenges, limited exposure, and logistical hurdles often defined the narrative.
This victory rewrites that script.
It announces that talent flourishes even when overlooked.
It signals that belief can outgrow circumstance.
The Heroes of the Campaign
Auqib Nabi – The Match-Winner
Seven five-wicket hauls in a season. A decisive 5/54 in the final.
Nabi’s all-round contributions made him the talisman of this championship run.
He combined technical skill with emotional intensity — a rare blend in domestic cricket.
Qamran Iqbal – The Backbone
His final-century will be remembered as one of the defining innings in J&K history.
Steady at the top, fearless against quality bowling, and composed under immense pressure — he has emerged as the future of J&K batting.
Shubham Pundir – The Tone Setter
Big matches demand big innings.
Pundir delivered when it mattered most.
His Day 1 century shifted the psychological balance immediately.
Abdul Samad – The X-Factor
Aggressive middle-order batter Abdul Samad provided momentum-shifting cameos throughout the campaign, ensuring J&K never stagnated in crucial sessions.
Why Karnataka Could Not Recover
Despite their pedigree, Karnataka struggled due to:
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Inability to break long partnerships
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Pressure from a towering first-innings deficit
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Nabi’s relentless seam control
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J&K’s fielding sharpness and energy
Once the lead crossed 450, the contest was effectively strategic damage control rather than pursuit.
A Watershed in Indian Domestic Cricket
The Ranji Trophy has long been dominated by traditional heavyweights.
J&K’s victory represents:
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Geographic diversification of success
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Growth of cricketing depth in India
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Proof that structural investment yields results
This championship broadens the competitive landscape of Indian first-class cricket.
The Emotional Moment
As the final wicket fell and celebrations erupted, players embraced, flags waved, and decades of aspiration poured out in unfiltered emotion.
Youngsters who once dreamed quietly now stand as national champions.
The scoreboard will record numbers.
History will remember transformation.
Editorial Reflection
The Ranji Trophy 2025–26 will be remembered as the season when Jammu & Kashmir stepped into the spotlight — and stayed there.
Their journey from peripheral contenders to champions is not accidental.
It is the product of:
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Leadership
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Youthful fearlessness
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Tactical clarity
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Collective unity
In lifting the trophy, J&K did more than win a cricket tournament.
They reshaped perception.
They expanded possibility.
They proved that dreams cultivated in silence can echo across a nation.
Final Word
After 67 years of waiting, Jammu & Kashmir are Ranji Trophy champions.
The Paradise roars — not in hope, but in triumph.
