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WATCH: Auqib Nabi bowls brilliantly to dismiss KL Rahul in Ranji Trophy final. Read

By Sandy Verma

Summing up Jammu and Kashmir’s amazing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 campaign, the fast bowler oqib nabi The star batsman at lunch time on the third day of the Ranji Trophy final against Karnataka KL Rahul Was dismissed with a brilliant ball. This crucial wicket left the eight-time champions reeling at 35/1, who were still 549 runs behind Jammu and Kashmir’s mammoth first innings score of 584.

Auqib Nabi surprises KL Rahul with a wonderful ball

Jammu and Kashmir posted a mammoth score of 584 in their first innings, led by Shubham Pundir’s 121 and half-centuries from the other five batsmen. Nabi then concentrated on dismantling Karnataka’s star-studded batting line-up. The 29-year-old right-arm fast bowler, who has been the cornerstone of Jammu and Kashmir’s historic season, produced a magical moment just before lunch time.

Nabi bowled a ball that straightened after being pitched, resulting in a slight edge from Rahul’s bat, which was safely caught by wicketkeeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan. While the on-field umpire initially turned down the strong appeal, Jammu and Kashmir captain Paras Dogra immediately reviewed the decision. UltraEdge confirmed the apparent spike, and it was followed by jubilation in the Jammu and Kashmir camp when ‘Out’ was shown on the big screen.

Rahul, who was looking quite comfortable so far, scored 13 runs in 39 balls which included two fours. This wicket left Karnataka at 27/1 in 11.2 overs, and they reached 35/1 at lunch, still facing a huge deficit.

This wicket was no coincidence, but the result of constant pressure created by Nabi. Right from his first over, the fast bowler bowled attractive lines which troubled Rahul time and again and beat his bat on several occasions.

In his second over, Nabi bowled what commentators described as “brilliant” – a ball that turned sharply outside off, leaving Rahul wide open as his right leg was dislocated. India Today’s live blog captured the moment: “Brilliant! A slightly fuller, outside off, turning slightly outside off. KL Rahul tries to flick it but is completely outclassed. What bowling from Auqib Nabi.”

Here is the video:

Nabi’s figures of 3-2-3-0 in his first spell reflected his control over Karnataka’s openers, with Mayank Agarwal And Rahul was forced to play cautiously against disciplined lines and movement.

IPL connection: Future teammates become enemies

An interesting subplot in this contest is that both Nabi and Rahul Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 They will share the same dressing room when the tournament begins on March 26. Delhi Capitals (DC) bid Rs 8.40 crore for Nabi in the auction, making him the most expensive Kashmir player in IPL history.

Observers noted the irony of dismissing a future teammate. Nabi’s ability to trouble Rahul with the new ball makes it clear why the Capitals invested heavily in the fast bowler, who has now taken his season total to 56 wickets, an average of 13 below.

Nabi’s brilliant performance in bowling

This performance is just the latest chapter in a historic season for the prophet. The 29-year-old started his domestic campaign with a bang, taking a double hat-trick on his Duleep Trophy debut. In the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Madhya Pradesh, he took a brilliant 12 wickets to take Jammu and Kashmir to the semi-finals for the first time.

He then took nine wickets in the semi-final against Bengal, including five in the first innings, earning him the player of the match award.

Also read: Watch: Auqib Nabi lost his wicket in a unique way to Prasidh Krishna in Ranji Trophy Final 2026

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