Key Points
- Jammu and Kashmir are on course to win their first Ranji Trophy title.
- Opener Qamran Iqbal stroked a century as Jammu and Kashmir continued to pile on the runs on Day 5.
- Auqib Nabi took his seventh five-wicket haul (5/54) of the season as J&K bowled out Karnataka for 293, grabbing an decisive first-innings lead of 291 runs.
Chief minister Omar Abdullah celebrated in the stands at the KSCA Cricket Ground in Hubbali on Saturday as the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team created history by winning their Ranji Trophy title.
J&K were declared the Ranji Trophy champions on the basis of the first innings lead against Karnataka.
'They’ve done it. Well done J&K,' a delighted Abdullah tweeted on X.
They held the eight-time former champions to a draw after taking a decisive 291-run first innings lead, an advantage they extended to 633 runs after scoring 342/4 in their second innings on the fifth and final day.
Jammu and Kashmir were crowned first Ranji Trophy champions for the first time since making their debut 67 years ago.
Qamran Iqbal hit an unbeaten 160 to defy Karnataka on the final day. Sahil Lotra continued his fine form with the bat, stroking 101 not out to follow up on his 72 in the first innings.
The duo frustrated Karnataka on the fifth day, with their unbroken stand of 197 runs from 415 balls for the fifth wicket.
'In Hubballi to cheer the J&K cricket team as they seal a historic win. There hasn’t been a day over the 5 day final that the team hasn’t dominated the opposition,' Abdullah had tweeted ahead of start of play on Day 5.
© 2026