Jammu & Kashmir scripted a historic moment in Indian domestic cricket by reaching the Ranji Trophy final for the first time. The team defeated Bengal by 6 wickets in the semifinal at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani to complete a memorable journey.
This achievement marks a major milestone for Jammu & Kashmir, who have been part of the Ranji Trophy since the 1959–60 season but had never progressed beyond the semifinal stage before.
Match Summary: How Jammu & Kashmir Sealed the Historic Win
The semifinal turned into a contest of resilience and discipline. Bengal started strongly but failed to maintain momentum as Jammu & Kashmir fought back with an impressive all-round performance.
| Innings | Score |
|---|---|
| Bengal 1st Innings | 328 |
| J&K 1st Innings | 302 |
| Bengal 2nd Innings | 99 |
| Target for J&K | 126 |
| Result | J&K won by 6 wickets |
Bengal posted 328 runs in the first innings. In reply, Jammu & Kashmir scored 302, with Abdul Samad (82) and Auqib Nabi (42) playing key roles. Bengal pacer Mohammed Shami delivered a brilliant spell, picking up 8/90, but his effort could only give his team a narrow first-innings lead of 26 runs.
The turning point came in the second innings, where Bengal collapsed for just 99 runs. Jammu & Kashmir bowlers dominated, setting up a manageable target.
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Auqib Nabi Leads the Charge
Local all-rounder Auqib Nabi emerged as the match hero. He delivered a complete performance with both bat and ball.
| Player | Performance |
|---|---|
| Auqib Nabi | 9 wickets in match + 42 runs |
| Abdul Samad | 82 & 30 |
| Vanshaj Sharma | 43* (match-winning knock) |
| Yudhvir Singh | 2/29 in second innings |
Chasing 126, Jammu & Kashmir showed calm under pressure. Vanshaj Sharma’s unbeaten 43 guided the team to 126/4 on the fourth morning, sealing a historic victory.
A Journey Years in the Making
This season has been special for Jammu & Kashmir. The team showed consistency throughout the knockout stage:
- Defeated Madhya Pradesh in the quarterfinal
- Registered a memorable win over Delhi
- Now defeated Bengal to enter the final
Before this season, their best performance was reaching the quarterfinals in 2013–14.
Final Challenge Ahead
Jammu & Kashmir will now play the Ranji Trophy 2025–26 Final starting February 24, 2026. They are expected to face Karnataka, who hold the advantage in the other semifinal.
| Final Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Ranji Trophy Final 2025–26 |
| Start Date | February 24, 2026 |
| Likely Opponent | Karnataka |
The historic qualification has sparked celebrations across the region. Cricket officials, fans, and leaders have praised the team’s achievement, calling it a proud moment for Jammu & Kashmir.
Experts believe this success shows the growing strength of domestic cricket, where emerging teams are now competing strongly against traditional powerhouses.
With confidence high and momentum on their side, Jammu & Kashmir will now aim to make history once again by lifting their first-ever Ranji Trophy title.
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