Hubballi: That was February 28, 2026 at 2:11 pm. This moment will forever be etched in the cricket lore of Jammu and Kashmir. After nearly three days of chilling champagne, the first-time finalists became the 19th team to win the Ranji Trophy, lifting the trophy at the KSCA Rajnagar Stadium on Saturday. After posting 584 in the first innings and dismissing Karnataka for 293, J&K declared the second innings at 342/4, shutting the door on the more fancied eight-time champions and depriving the hosts of their ninth title.
Despite the disappointment for their home team, a large crowd stood up to acknowledge Paras Dogra and his men, a team that had batted, bowled and believed it would go down in history.
If Shubham Pondil’s first-innings century set the tone, the final day belonged to Kamran Iqbal (160 not out) and Sahil Lotra (101 not out) who inflicted pain on Karnataka as the home team went wicketless on the final morning.
The celebrations were lively and unrestrained. As Ramadan and travel logistics keep families from leaving their homes, a small group of supporters from the J&K community in Karnataka fills the void. Just before the final match, the team management hired local dhol artists, which is usually banned at Indian cricket stadiums. As the beat reverberated on the ground, confetti and fireworks from the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) transformed the humble venue into a festive stage.
As Dogra and Karnataka captain Devdutt Padikkar completed their routine handshake, J&K players poured into the pitch. Iqbal and Lotra were soon engulfed by their jubilant teammates and then the whole team started dancing as the dhols thundered. J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who chose to sit near the team dressing room rather than in the protocol area, applauded and recorded the celebrations of the state’s historic day on his mobile phone.
This win is more than just a title. This is reward for the years of perseverance of a team that has grown together under head coach Ajay Sharma and has not backed down after heartbreak after heartbreak. J&K had reached the quarter-finals in 2013-14 and 2019-20 and was just one point away from last season’s final against Kerala. That pain fueled a campaign built on resilience and quiet confidence.
Auqib Nabi, who spearheaded the entire season, called it the realization of a childhood dream. “This has been our dream for years. This win not only belongs to the team but also to Johnson & Johnson,” he said.
For Paras Dogra, the 41-year-old captain, this moment carries the weight of a lifetime. “I’ve been waiting 25 years for this. I can’t explain the feeling of holding this trophy,” he said. Leader, mentor and father figure rolled into one, Dogra reminded his players throughout the season: “This time will never happen again.” They listened and spoke with emphatic force.
As the players soaked in the moment, many admitted not yet realizing the magnitude of the achievement. But one thing is for sure – Jammu and Kashmir’s first Ranji Trophy victory is a story of faith, patience and heart.