Ranji Trophy: Jammu & Kashmir inch closer to maiden title as Karnataka still trailing behind 477 runs

Jammu and Kashmir is on the verge of making history as they look set to lift their maiden Ranji Trophy title on February 28. Led by brilliant performances from sensational pacer Auqib Nabi Dar and opening batter Qamran Iqbal, the team has dominated a star-studded Karnataka side featuring national pros like KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Prasidh Krishna, and Devdutt Padikkal.

Jammu & Kashmir on cusp of winning maiden Ranji Trophy title  

J&K solidified their commanding position on Friday after Nabi claimed five wickets to bowl Karnataka out for 293 in response to J&K's mammoth first-innings total of 574.

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The momentum continued into the second innings, with 24-year-old Qamran Iqbal scoring an unbeaten 94 to propel J&K to an unassailable lead of 477 runs with six wickets still in hand. Iqbal enters the final day just six runs shy of a stroke-filled century. The plan for Saturday involves batting through the first session, declaring, and then unleashing the bowling attack—led by Nabi and spinners Lotra and Abid Mushtaq, to force a victory.

However, even if Karnataka manages to avoid being bowled out a second time, Jammu and Kashmir has already secured the trophy based on their massive first-innings lead. Regardless of weather conditions or a potential fightback from Karnataka, the outcome is certain; J&K is guaranteed to lift the trophy.

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Auqib Nabi tilts match in J&K's favour

With the Ranji Trophy title already assured, the remaining interest in the match centers on whether pace sensation Auqib Nabi Dar can add to his remarkable 60-wicket haul this season. Having already surpassed Uttarakhand's Mayank Mishra to become the tournament's leading wicket-taker, leaving competitors like Shahbaz Ahmed and S. Gopal far behind—Nabi continued his dominance against Karnataka by securing his seventh five-wicket spell of the season. His staggering average of approximately 12.54 and standout performances, such as his 12/110 against Madhya Pradesh in the quarterfinals, highlight a sensational run of form.

Nabi's exceptional ability to swing and seam both the new and old ball has fueled calls from cricketing greats for his inclusion in India’s Test team, while also earning him a lucrative Rs 8 crore IPL contract. Despite the lure of white-ball cricket, pundits believe his capability to bowl long spells without losing pace or movement makes him best suited for the longest format, which remains his primary focus.

Meanwhile, at the stadium in Hubballi, Karnataka, the Jammu and Kashmir team is preparing to celebrate their historic title win, effectively silencing all doubters. The team’s success, driven by key players like Nabi, Qamran Iqbal, Abdul Samad, and Shubham Pundir, is expected to inspire a new generation of budding cricketers in the region.