Ranji Trophy: J&K lords it over Karnataka, wins historic title
Jammu and Kashmir team celebrates after winning the Ranji Trophy 2025-26, on the final day of the match between Karnataka vs Jammu And Kashmir, at KSCA Rajnagar Stadium (The D.R. Bendre Cricket Stadium Hubli) in Hubballi, on February 28, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Murali Kumar K
On a baking, early-summer afternoon at the KSCA Rajnagar Stadium here on Saturday, Jammu & Kashmir steamrolled Karnataka to win its maiden Ranji Trophy title.
As J & K went into day five a massive 477 runs in the green and with six second-innings wickets still intact, the result was seldom in question. Yet, the visitors refused to move, even by an inch, the foot they had had on Karnataka’s neck since the start of the contest.
Paras Dogra & Co. batted for 56 overs, added 156 runs and did not lose a wicket. Karnataka’s downfall was slow and painful, with little heed to its reputation as an eight-time champion. Death by thousand cuts it truly was.
It was fitting that the men in the middle, when draw was called at 2:10 p.m. and J & K declared the champion, were Qamran Iqbal (160 n.o., 311b, 16×4, 3×6) and Sahil Lotra (101 n.o., 226b, 8×4, 3×6).
Both were last-minute injury replacements for experienced opener Shubham Khajuria and young all-rounder Vanshaj Sharma. Qamran’s was his second First Class ton and Sahil’s his first. J & K had an assembly line of heroes.
For Karnataka, it will be a chastening experience, for even a star-studded team couldn’t stop the State from losing a second straight home final, albeit 16 years apart.
In the time since Karnataka won its last title in 2014-15, Vidarbha has won thrice, Saurashtra twice, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh once each.
With J & K now joining the list, the democratisation of Indian cricket is all but complete – Kanyakumari to Kashmir.
The scores: Jammu & Kashmir — 1st innings: 584.
Karnataka — 1st innings: 293.
Jammu & Kashmir — 2nd innings: Qamran Iqbal (not out) 160, Yawer Hassan b Prasidh 1, Shubham Pundir c sub (Shrijith) b Vyshak 4; Paras Dogra b Prasidh 16, Abdul Samad c Vyshak b Shreyas 32, Sahil Lotra (not out) 101; Extras (b-17, lb-9, w-2): 28; Total (for four wkts. decl. in 113 overs): 342.
Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-11, 3-72, 4-145.
Karnataka bowling: Vyshak 10-1-30-1, Prasidh 12-0-42-2, Vidyadhar 13-0-51-0, Shikhar 31-10-50-0, Shreyas 36-13-84-1, Karun 7-2-21-0, Rahul 2-0-15-0, Mayank 2-0-23-0.
Published – March 01, 2026 12:12 am IST
