SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir scripted the most significant chapter in their cricketing history on Wednesday, defeating Bengal by six wickets to book a first-ever berth in the Ranji Trophy final. Sixty-seven years after making their debut in India’s premier domestic competition, JK have finally broken new ground, transforming a season of promise into a landmark achievement.
The victory at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground was built on discipline, composure and decisive moments across all four innings, a template of red-ball cricket executed under pressure.
The semifinal was finely balanced after the first innings. Bengal posted 328, powered by Sudip Kumar Gharami’s 146 and contributions from skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran, before JK responded with 302. The 26-run deficit was manageable, thanks in large part to Abdul Samad’s fluent 82, captain Paras Dogra’s steady 58, and a crucial lower-order surge — 42 from Auqib Nabi Dar and 33 from Yudhvir Singh in a 64-run last-wicket partnership.
The decisive phase came in Bengal’s second innings.
Relentless spells from Auqib Nabi Dar (4/36) and Sunil Kumar (4/27) dismantled the hosts for just 99 in 25.1 overs. Nabi finished with a match haul of nine wickets, following his 12-wicket performance in the quarterfinal, reinforcing his status as the standout bowler of JK’s campaign.
Bengal, despite fielding internationals such as Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar and Shahbaz Ahmed, were unable to withstand sustained pressure. From a position of parity, the match tilted irreversibly.
Chasing 126, JK resumed confidently but faced early resistance. Shami broke through to dismiss Shubham Pundir, while Akash Deep’s probing spell briefly injected uncertainty.
It was Abdul Samad who altered the tempo.
Displaying clarity of intent, he counterattacked Shahbaz Ahmed with two towering sixes, one over long-on and another through deep extra cover, shifting the psychological balance. His unbeaten 30 off 27 deliveries complemented his first-innings 82, underlining his match-defining influence.
At the other end, 22-year-old Vanshaj Sharma exhibited maturity beyond his years. After striking boundaries off Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, he fittingly sealed the historic win by launching Mukesh Kumar straight over long-on for six. Sharma remained unbeaten on 43 as JK finished at 126/4 in 34.4 overs.
Scenes of jubilation followed, players embraced in the middle, some dropped to their knees, and head coach Ajay Sharma was lifted onto the players’ shoulders in celebration of a campaign built on unity and belief.
Jammu and Kashmir’s journey to the final has been decades in the making. Since debuting in 1959–60, they had played 334 Ranji matches prior to this season, winning just 45. Their first-ever Ranji victory came only in 1982–83 against Services. Knockout appearances were rare, though they reached the quarterfinals in 2013–14 and stunned Mumbai at the Wankhede in 2015–16.
This season, under coach Ajay Sharma and the experienced leadership of Paras Dogra, the side displayed consistency and resilience. After an opening loss to Mumbai, they responded with innings victories over Rajasthan and key wins against Delhi and Hyderabad to enter the knockouts. A dramatic 56-run quarterfinal triumph over Madhya Pradesh, powered by Nabi’s 12-wicket haul, propelled them into a maiden semifinal and now beyond.
Dogra, who recently became only the second batter after Wasim Jaffer to cross 10,000 Ranji Trophy runs, credited collective effort for the milestone.
“It has sunk in finally. The target was a small one. We just needed one good partnership to get us over the line. With 2.5 days left, the 26-run lead didn’t scare us. We knew we could change it,” he said.
The historic feat triggered congratulatory messages from across the cricketing and political spectrum.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha congratulated the team on their “magnificent victory,” stating that they had etched a golden chapter in the sporting history of Jammu and Kashmir and that the entire Union Territory was proud of their extraordinary performance.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah praised the players, coaches and support staff for their sustained hard work and discipline. Extending congratulations on behalf of the people of JK, he said the achievement reflected years of steady progress and expressed confidence that players from the region would soon make a significant mark at the national level. “Winning the Ranji Trophy is not something an individual can accomplish alone; it is the success of the entire team and the supporting staff,” he said.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan also lauded the milestone, writing on social media: “History created! JK reach their first-ever Ranji Trophy final. So proud to see these boys take JK cricket to new heights. You beauty, Abdul Samad — what a knock!”
Jammu and Kashmir will now face Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy final from February 24 to 28. For a team that had never previously crossed the semifinal barrier, the achievement represents both validation and opportunity.
From perennial underachievers to finalists, JK’s 2025–26 campaign reflects structural growth, tactical maturity, and the emergence of match-winners at critical junctures. February 18 will endure as a defining moment, the day Jammu and Kashmir stepped onto the grandest stage of India’s domestic cricket with conviction and credibility.
