Hubballi, Feb 28 (.) The Ranji Trophy finals at the KSCA Hubballi Cricket Ground concluded in historic fashion as Jammu & Kashmir cricket team were crowned champions after a drawn contest, winning the title courtesy of a massive first-innings lead over Karnataka cricket team.
Jammu & Kashmir batted first and posted a commanding 584 all out before further strengthening their position by reaching 342/4 in their second innings when the match ended. In contrast, Karnataka could manage only 293 all out in their sole innings, allowing Jammu & Kashmir to dominate the contest and secure the championship on the basis of their first-innings superiority.
The historic moment of victory arrived when J&K captain Paras Dogra declared the innings, triggering wild celebrations across the ground. The entire squad rushed onto the field. Both captains then shook hands, formally ending the contest. This victory marked a special milestone for Jammu & Kashmir cricket, as the team celebrated their maiden Ranji Trophy title after 67 long years of striving for domestic glory.
The players celebrated by dancing to traditional dhol beats as emotions ran high across the team camp. Coach Ajay Sharma was seen smiling broadly and even joining in with celebratory dance moves, while dignitaries including the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Omar Abdullah watched proudly from the stands as history was made.
Playing in their first-ever Ranji final against eight-time champions Karnataka was a daunting challenge, but Jammu & Kashmir displayed remarkable composure and tactical maturity throughout the match. Their dominance was built on strong performances with both bat and ball, backed by a disciplined and calculative approach that effectively neutralised Karnataka’s batting threats.
The batting unit was led by outstanding centuries from Qamran Iqbal (160*) and Sahil Lotra (101*). Lotra registered his maiden first-class century in a Ranji Trophy final, reaching the milestone with a mistimed pull shot that cleared mid-wicket for a couple of runs, earning loud applause from teammates, supporters, and officials. His innings featured several slog sweeps and lofted shots as he progressed from a steady start to an aggressive finish after completing his fifty off 78 balls.
Qamran played an even more dominant knock, scoring an unbeaten 160 off 331 balls, finishing with 16 boundaries and 3 sixes. He reached his century with a crisp boundary past the bowler and later accelerated with powerful strokes, including consecutive sixes over long-on and straight down the ground. His 150 came through a series of elegant drives and strong leg-side shots, marking a match-defining performance under pressure.
The 197-run partnership between Qamran and Lotra formed the backbone of Jammu & Kashmir’s innings, helping them recover from early setbacks and steadily build a commanding total. Their batting combined patience with controlled aggression, allowing J&K to dictate the pace of the final.
The Jammu & Kashmir top order performed exceptionally well, with six of the top seven batsmen contributing scores of fifty or more. Shubham Pundir also scored a crucial century to help set up the massive first-innings total, while bowler Auqib Nabi Dar continued his outstanding tournament form by collecting his seventh five-wicket haul of the season, pushing Karnataka further on the defensive.
The Karnataka bowling attack, featuring spin and pace variations, tried to break partnerships through attacking fields and multiple reviews. One notable review in the 108.2 over against Lotra was turned down by the umpire as replays confirmed there was no bat involved. Earlier, several loose deliveries were punished, with full tosses and short balls being dispatched to the boundary ropes.
Several key moments defined the final day, with Qamran reaching his final century with a back-foot boundary during the 71.2 over, while Lotra completed his century in the 111.4 over by guiding a short ball over mid-wicket. Aggressive stroke play was also witnessed during the 102 and 106 over phases, when Iqbal struck consecutive sixes off Mayank Agarwal’s bowling, and Lotra smashed multiple boundaries including a six over cow corner.
The match concluded with strong recognition for individual performances. Pundir was named Player of the Match for his contribution, while Nabi was named Player of the Series for his consistent performances throughout the tournament. The final draw ensured Jammu & Kashmir ended the Ranji Trophy campaign as deserving champions in a memorable historic victory.
. . .