Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir created history on Tuesday by securing their first-ever victory over Delhi in Ranji Trophy cricket. Led by a brilliant unbeaten century from opener Qamran Iqbal, J&K defeated Delhi by seven wickets, marking a proud moment for the team and its fans.
Chasing 179 for victory, J&K needed 124 runs on the final day. Iqbal, calm and confident at the crease, scored a superb 133* off 147 balls. His positive play, long strides, and powerful shots made the pitch look easy, despite rough patches that were expected to challenge the batters. Nightwatchman Vanshaj Sharma provided important support, and towards the end, Iqbal entertained with one-handed slog-sweeps and clean lofted shots.
Veteran skipper Paras Dogra also played a key role with a century in the first innings. In his 22nd first-class season, Dogra continues to shine, having already scored centuries against both Mumbai and Delhi this year.
This win is especially significant as Delhi and J&K have met 43 times since 1960, with Delhi winning outright in 37 of those games. The victory, therefore, marks a major milestone and showcases J&K’s growing strength in domestic cricket.
Delhi, struggling with inconsistency and selection issues, could not match J&K’s disciplined performance. Their spinners failed to trouble the batters, while J&K showed confidence, good planning, and solid teamwork throughout the match.
With this memorable win, Jammu and Kashmir have sent a strong message in the Ranji Trophy, proving that they can stand tall against established teams and deliver inspiring performances.(KNS)
