Ranji Trophy final: Dinesh Karthik's social media post praising J&K's Auqib Nabi goes viral

Former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik lavished praise on Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi Dar for his outstanding show in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 final.

Playing at the Hubli Cricket Ground on Thursday, the right-arm pacer tore through Karnataka’s top order, picking up three crucial wickets and putting his team firmly in control.

Karthik on Auqib’s consistency

Karthik was particularly impressed with Auqib’s consistency throughout the season. The young pacer has featured in every match of the tournament, adapted to different conditions, and already taken 58 wickets. He now needs just one more to become the highest wicket-taker of the season.

“Watching this Ranji Trophy campaign and following it closely, one thing I can say for certain, for all the young boys and girls out there playing this sport and wanting to represent the country, do it the AAQIB NABI way. “I can’t think of any pacer/player in a long time doing what he’s done,” he wrote on X.

Dinesh Karthik on Auqib’s hard work

Karthik believes Auqib’s hard work and sharp focus in domestic cricket could soon open the doors to the national side. He called him a true champion and wished him success for the future.

“Domination from start to end and almost single-handedly winning the domestic tournament that matters the most to get into the national side,” he wrote.

“Fitness across the whole campaign, bowling those long spells and across different soils, weather conditions and whether there’s been any help for a pacer or not, he’s been there for his team with the belief every time he’s had the ball to STRIKE for his team.

“Hats off to you, AAQIB, you’re an absolute champion and hope you get a lot of success that comes your way and may you be the lesson on how it’s done to break the doors through sheer will power, skill and resilience,” he concluded.

Jammu & Kashmir vs Karnataka Day 3

Coming back to the match, Karnataka fought back through experienced opener Mayank Agarwal, who stood strong under pressure. At Tea on Day 3, Karnataka were 144/4 while chasing Jammu and Kashmir’s massive first-innings total of 584.

Resuming at 35/1 after lunch, Karnataka’s batting line-up struggled against disciplined seam bowling. Sunil Kumar struck early in the session, dismissing Devdutt Padikkal and tightening Jammu and Kashmir’s hold on the match.

Auqib then produced a match-defining spell. After removing KL Rahul before lunch, he returned to dismiss Karun Nair and Smaran Ravichandran off back-to-back deliveries early in the second session. Karnataka suddenly found themselves in deep trouble at 57/4.

With late movement and consistent accuracy, Auqib kept testing the batters throughout his spell. He ended the session with impressive figures of 3 for 30, once again proving why he has been one of the standout performers of this Ranji season.