Jammu and Kashmir close to creating history in Ranji Trophy, will win first title after 67 years

Karnataka vs Jammu and Kashmir: Jammu and Kashmir cricket team has come very close to creating history in Ranji Trophy 2025-26. Thanks to the brilliant performance of experienced fast bowler Aaqib Nabi and opener Kamran Iqbal, the team has come close to winning its first Ranji Trophy title after taking a huge lead against Karnataka on the fourth day on Friday.

At the beginning of the fourth day, during his spell, Nabi bowled out Karnataka’s team for 293 runs in the first innings. He took five important wickets for 54 runs, which helped break big batting partnerships in Karnataka’s innings. After this performance of Nabi, Jammu and Kashmir took a lead of 291 runs in the first innings. His consistently brilliant bowling broke the back of Karnataka’s batsmen.

Mayank Agarwal’s century innings

In Karnataka’s innings, former captain Mayank Agarwal tried to handle the team by scoring 160 runs in 266 balls. He gave the team hope by adding over 80 runs with Kritik Krishna for the sixth wicket, but Nabi’s effective bowling and wickets foiled his efforts. Sahil Lottra and left-arm fast bowler Sunil Kumar also kept the pressure on Karnataka by taking important wickets.

Jammu and Kashmir recovered after initial shock

Karnataka made a good start in the second innings of Jammu and Kashmir and took two wickets for 11 runs. But Iqbal made an important partnership of 61 runs for the third wicket with captain Paras Dogra and then 73 runs for the fourth wicket with Abdul Samad. Iqbal took the team to a safe position by scoring unbeaten 94 runs.

Also read: Aaqib Nabi created history in Ranji Trophy, became the first bowler to achieve such a feat for Jammu and Kashmir.

Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir arrived to watch the match

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reached Hubli to watch the historic title win. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President and former Jammu and Kashmir cricket administrator Mithun Manhas will also be present to watch the match on the final day. If Jammu and Kashmir wins this match, it will be the first Ranji Trophy title for the team in 67 years. With this victory, not only the team but the entire state will be recorded in golden letters in the cricket history. The performance of Aaqib Nabi and Kamran Iqbal, leadership of captain Paras Dogra and dedication of every player of the team are becoming the keys to this historic success.