In a landmark moment for Indian domestic cricket, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) scripted history on Saturday, February 28, 2026, by lifting their maiden Ranji Trophy title. The Paras Dogra-led Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) secured their first-ever Ranji Trophy title by virtue of a massive first-innings lead against eight-time champions Karnataka in the 2025-26 drawn final at the KSCA Cricket Ground in Hubballi. 

Led by commanding performances with both bat and ball across five days, Jammu & Kashmir outplayed Karnataka in every department, building an insurmountable 291-run first-innings advantage before declaring their second innings at 342/4 on the final afternoon.

With no realistic chance of forcing a result, both captains agreed to shake hands, sparking emotional celebrations among the Jammu & Kashmir players, support staff and fans as the long wait for domestic cricket’s biggest prize finally ended.

Notably, J&K, who made their Ranji Trophy debut in the 1959-60 season, had waited 67 years for this glory. This victory marks them as the 19th team to win the prestigious tournament and only the ninth to claim the title in their maiden final appearance. 

Batters Laid Foundation Of Historic Victory  

The foundation of this historic victory was laid on Day 1. After winning the toss and electing to bat, J&K showcased a level of discipline rarely seen on such a grand stage. Shubham Pundir was the architect of the marathon, scoring a gritty 121, while contributions from Yawer Hassan (88), captain Paras Dogra (70), and Abdul Samad (61) propelled the visitors to a daunting total of 584 in their first innings.

Despite a valiant five-wicket haul from Karnataka’s Prasidh Krishna, the hosts found themselves staring at a mountain of runs that dictated the tempo for the remainder of the match.

The Nabi Storm

Karnataka’s star-studded batting lineup, featuring Test veterans KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, and Devdutt Padikkal, struggled to find their footing against a relentless J&K attack. While Mayank Agarwal fought a lonely battle with a sublime 160, the rest of the order crumbled.

The hero of the hour was pace spearhead Auqib Nabi. His clinical spell of 5/54 decimated the middle order, ensuring Karnataka was bowled out for 293. With a lead of 291 runs, the title was effectively J&K’s to lose.

A Second Innings Statement

Refusing to play for a mere draw, J&K used their second innings to hammer home their dominance. Opener Qamran Iqbal – a late replacement in the squad – played the innings of his life with an unbeaten 160. He was joined by Sahil Lotra, who reached his maiden first-class century (101 not out) just before the captains shook hands.

When the declaration came at 342/4, J&K’s lead had swelled to an insurmountable 633 runs.

A Legacy Defined

The victory marks a “red-letter day” for a region that has often been viewed as an underdog in the domestic circuit. For 41-year-old skipper Paras Dogra, the second man to cross 10,000 runs in Ranji history, the title serves as the perfect crowning achievement to a storied career.

As the Jammu & Kashmir squad performed a victory lap in Hubballi, the celebrations in Srinagar and Jammu suggested that this win is more than just a trophy – it is a symbol of a rising powerhouse in Indian cricket.