Jammu, Feb 18 (.) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday congratulated the Jammu and Kashmir team for reaching the Ranji Trophy final and expressed hope that more players from the region would go on to represent India.
Speaking to reporters in Jammu, he said, “No one wins the Ranji Trophy alone. This is the success of the entire team, and of the support staff as well. I congratulate them all on my behalf and on behalf of the entire people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
“I hope the day is not far off when we will start seeing players from Jammu and Kashmir playing a very important role in the national team,” he added.
Jammu and Kashmir secured a place in the Ranji Trophy 2025–26 final after defeating Bengal by six wickets in the semifinal. Led by Paras Dogra, the side bowled out Bengal for 99 runs in their second innings and chased down the target of 126 on Day 4 to seal the victory.
Earlier in the match, Bengal pacer Mohammed Shami delivered an outstanding performance, claiming eight wickets for 90 runs in 22.1 overs. Bengal had posted 328 in the first innings, and Shami’s effort helped restrict Jammu and Kashmir to 302, giving his team a 26-run lead.
Shami, who has not played for India since the 2025 Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, also moved to sixth place among the leading wicket-takers this Ranji Trophy season with 36 wickets in seven matches.
However, Bengal failed to capitalise on the advantage as Jammu and Kashmir’s bowlers Auqib Nabi Dar (4/36), Sunil Kumar (4/27), and Yudhvir Singh Charak (2/29) combined to dismiss Bengal for just 99 in the third innings, with Shahbaz Ahmed top-scoring with 24.
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