For decades, cricket in Jammu and Kashmir was mostly about hope and struggle. The team participated in the prestigious Ranji Trophy for many years but rarely reached the later stages of the tournament. In March 2026, however, history was finally written when the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team won their first-ever Ranji Trophy title, defeating the strong Karnataka cricket team in the final.
The victory ended a 67-year wait and became one of the biggest moments in the sporting history of the region. For the players and fans, it was not just a cricket win—it was a moment of pride and belief.
Jammu and Kashmir played their first Ranji Trophy match in 1960. For many years the team struggled to compete with stronger sides from other states. Their first victory in the tournament came only in 1982, after playing 99 matches. Even after that, wins were rare and the team often finished early in the competition.
Until 2026, J&K had played more than 340 matches but won only around 47, which shows how difficult their journey has been. Many cricket experts considered them an underdog team that could challenge occasionally but was unlikely to win the title.However, in the last decade things slowly started to change. Better coaching, young talent and improved support from the Board of Control for Cricket in India helped the team become more competitive.
The 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season turned out to be special for Jammu and Kashmir. The team played with confidence throughout the tournament and lost only one match during the season. Several players stepped up with strong performances. Young fast bowler Auqib Nabi became the leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 60 wickets in 10 matches, which is a remarkable achievement. His bowling played a major role in helping J&K reach the knockout stage.
In the quarterfinal against Madhya Pradesh, Auqib Nabi delivered an outstanding performance by taking 12 wickets in the match, which helped J&K secure an important victory. The team then defeated Bengal in the semifinal to reach their first Ranji Trophy final in history.
The final match was played in Hubli against Karnataka, one of the most successful teams in the tournament. Karnataka had already won the Ranji Trophy eight times and were considered favourites. Jammu and Kashmir started strongly by scoring 584 runs in the first innings. Opener Shubham Pundir scored an impressive century, while several other players contributed important runs.
When Karnataka came to bat, they managed 293 runs despite a fighting century from their captain. J&K bowler Auqib Nabi took five wickets and gave his team a huge first-innings lead of 291 runs. In the second innings, Qamran Iqbal scored an unbeaten 160 while Sahil Lotra added another century. After building a massive lead, J&K declared their innings. The match eventually ended in a draw, but according to Ranji Trophy rules the team with the first-innings lead wins the title. With that, Jammu and Kashmir were crowned Ranji Trophy champions for the first time.
The victory was the result of teamwork, but a few players played especially important roles.
Paras Dogra (Captain)
The experienced captain guided the team calmly throughout the tournament. His leadership and batting stability helped the team stay focused in difficult moments.
Auqib Nabi (Fast Bowler)
He was the standout performer of the season. His wickets in crucial matches played a major role in J&K reaching and winning the final.
Shubham Pundir and Qamran Iqbal (Batsmen)
Both batsmen scored important centuries in the final and helped the team build the big totals that made the victory possible.
Abdul Samad and other young players
Several young cricketers also contributed with both bat and ball, showing that J&K now has strong upcoming talent
The victory was celebrated across Jammu and Kashmir. Fans, former players and political leaders congratulated the team for this historic achievement. Former Indian cricketer Parvez Rasool, who was the first player from Kashmir to represent India, described the win as a proud and emotional moment for the entire region.
The success of the team also inspired many young people in the region to take interest in cricket.This Ranji Trophy win is not just about one tournament. It shows that cricket in Jammu and Kashmir is developing and has the potential to produce players who can compete at the national level. The victory may lead to better sports infrastructure, more academies and greater opportunities for young players. Some of the current players may also get chances in the IPL or even the Indian national team in the future. The 2026 Ranji Trophy victory will always remain a historic moment for Jammu and Kashmir cricket. After decades of struggle, the team finally proved that dedication, teamwork and belief can change history.
For the people of the region, this victory is more than a sports achievement—it is a symbol of hope and confidence. The success of the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team has shown that talent from the region can compete with the best in the country.
And for young cricketers across the valley and Jammu region, this victory sends a clear message: dreams can become reality with hard work and determination.
The writer is a student of Amar Singh College. nabeeljehangir885@gmail.com
