Karnataka has secured a spot in the Ranji Trophy final for the first time in 11 years, advancing on the basis of a massive first-innings lead in their drawn semifinal against Uttarakhand. After resuming the final day at 299 for six, Karnataka’s remaining wickets fell quickly for the addition of just 24 runs. Despite being bowled out for 323, their dominant performance earlier in the match allowed them to establish a staggering overall lead of 826 runs.
Karnataka cruise into Ranji Trophy final
In their second innings, Uttarakhand offered a spirited resistance led by half-centuries from Avneesh Sudha, Sachin Rawat, and Abhay Negi. At one stage, Karnataka appeared to be closing in on an outright victory after reducing their opponents to 156 for six during the second session. However, an unbeaten 104-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Negi and Rawat frustrated the bowling attack, leading both captains to shake hands on a draw shortly after the tea break.
With this result, Karnataka moves on to face Jammu and Kashmir in the championship clash, which is set to begin in Hubballi on February 24. The team is now chasing its ninth Ranji Trophy title, aiming to replicate the success of the 2014-15 season when they last lifted the trophy under the captaincy of R Vinay Kumar.
During their dominant era a decade ago, Karnataka achieved a rare and remarkable feat in Indian domestic cricket. They became only the second team, after Mumbai, to win the treble, the Ranji, Irani, and Vijay Hazare trophies, in two consecutive seasons. This golden run spanned the 2013-14 and 2014-15 campaigns, cementing their status as an undisputed powerhouse of the era.
The team's success during that period was driven by standout individual performances. Robin Uthappa anchored the batting department, finishing as the season's top scorer with 912 runs. On the bowling front, captain Vinay Kumar led from the front, sharing the title of leading wicket-taker with Mumbai’s Shardul Thakur, as both bowlers claimed 48 victims.
From that legendary squad, only four players, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Mayank Agarwal, and Shreyas Gopal—remain in the current Karnataka lineup. Their experience will be vital as they head into the final against Jammu and Kashmir. For their opponents, the stakes are equally high; Jammu and Kashmir are making their first final appearance in sixty years and are desperate to secure their maiden Ranji Trophy title.