Jammu Kashmir Near Maiden Ranji Title as Omar Abdullah Heads to Final Venue | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir tightened their grip on the Ranji Trophy Elite 2025–26 final, moving close to a maiden title after extending their overall lead to 477 runs against Karnataka at the KSCA Hubli ground on Friday.

After posting 584 in their first innings, JK dismissed Karnataka for 293 on Day 4 to secure a 291-run first-innings lead. By stumps, they were 186 for four in the second innings, maintaining firm control of the match.

Auqib Nabi led the bowling effort with 5 for 54, registering his seventh five-wicket haul of the season and taking his tally to 60 wickets. He was well supported by Sunil Kumar (2/51) and Yudhvir Singh Charak (2/55), as Karnataka were bowled out with Prasidh Krishna dismissed for 4.

Mayank Agarwal provided the main resistance for Karnataka, scoring 160 off 266 balls with 21 boundaries, but lacked sustained support from the other end.

J&K began their second innings cautiously after early losses left them at 11 for two. Paras Dogra scored 16, while Abdul Samad made 32 before being dismissed. Opener Qamran Iqbal anchored the innings with an unbeaten 94 from 160 deliveries, striking 11 fours and a six. Sahil Lotra remained not out on 16 at the close of play.

With one day remaining, Karnataka face the challenge of either chasing a large fourth-innings target or dismissing JK quickly to keep their hopes alive. Under Ranji Trophy final rules, an outright win decides the champion, while a draw awards the title to the team with the first-innings lead — an advantage already held by JK.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah arrived in Hubli to support the team, joined by cabinet minister Nasir Wani and associate Tanvir Sadiq, as enthusiasm grows across Jammu and Kashmir ahead of a potential historic triumph.

Brief Scores:

Jammu Kashmir 584 all out 186/4 in 57 overs (Qamran Iqbal 94 not out, Abdul Samad 32, Sahil Lotra 16 not out; Prasidh Krishna 2-42) lead Karnataka 293 all out in 93.3 overs (Mayank Agarwal 160, Kruthik Krishna 36; Auqib Nabi Dar 5-54, Sushil Kumar 2-51, Yudhwir Singh Charak 2-55) by 477 runs