After 67 years, Jammu & Kashmir clinch historic first Ranji Trophy title

J&K create history at KSCA Rajnagar Stadium, defeating eight-time champions Karnataka on first-innings lead to lift their maiden Ranji Trophy crown.

Jammu & Kashmir wrote a historic chapter in Indian domestic cricket on Saturday, by lifting their first-ever Ranji Trophy title at the KSCA Rajnagar Stadium. The final against eight-time champions Karnataka ended in a draw, but J&K were crowned champions after securing a commanding 291-run first-innings lead.

This landmark triumph marked the end of a 67-year wait for J&K, who made their Ranji Trophy debut in the 1959-60 season. From being considered underdogs for decades, the team has now emerged as the 19th side to win India’s premier domestic cricket trophy, underlining the rapid growth of the game beyond traditional powerhouses.

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Opting to bat first, J&K posted a massive 584, laying a strong foundation for victory. Shubham Pundir led the charge with a fine century, scoring 121. The bowlers then delivered a clinical performance as Karnataka were bundled out for 293, with pace spearhead Auqib Nabi claiming a superb five-wicket haul to secure the decisive first-innings advantage.

Karnataka’s resistance came largely through veteran batter Mayank Agarwal, who scored a fighting 160, but lacked support from the rest of the lineup. With a substantial lead in hand, J&K extended their dominance in the second innings, piling up 633 more runs, powered by centuries from Qamran Iqbal and Sahil Lotra.

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The final day saw Karnataka batting out time to force a draw, but the first-innings deficit ensured the title belonged to J&K. The team showed remarkable composure throughout the five-day contest, despite playing their third consecutive knockout match away from home and coping with injuries to key players Shubham Khajuria and Vanshaj Sharma.

J&K had previously reached the quarterfinals thrice, in 2013-14, 2019-20 and 2024-25, with last season ending in heartbreak after missing out on a semifinal spot by just one run.