Jammu & Kashmir Creates Cricket History With First-Ever Ranji Trophy Final Berth
In a moment that will be etched forever in Indian cricket history, Jammu & Kashmir sealed their first-ever spot in the Ranji Trophy final after a 67-year wait. The historic moment came when Vanshaj Sharma launched Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar for a six that sailed into the stands at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground in Kalyani on Wednesday.
The celebratory roar from J&K players, support staff, and officials could probably be heard all the way to the Himalayan state as they poured onto the field. With that emphatic hit, J&K completed a remarkable 6-wicket victory over Bengal in the semifinal of India's premier domestic red-ball cricket competition.
A Chase That Sealed History
Set a target of 126 for victory, J&K completed the chase in just 34.4 overs, finishing before lunch on Day 4. The result was emphatic, though there were moments when the match appeared to be slipping away from the visitors.
"I have played the Ranji final a number of times. But this time, it's different. I had not slept for the last three nights. Today I will sleep well," said an elated coach Ajay Sharma, once a stalwart of the domestic scene for Delhi.
As history beckoned, J&K began Day 4 within touching distance, needing just 83 more runs. However, Bengal came hard at them with Akash Deep striking twice to remove Shubham Khajuria and Yawer Hassan, then returning to send back skipper Paras Dogra.
Mohammed Shami, relentless as ever, bowled Shubham Pundir to briefly widen the doorway for a Bengal comeback. But Abdul Samad and Vanshaj Sharma shut that door with authority through an unbeaten 55-run fifth-wicket partnership that carried J&K to victory without another stumble.
The Semifinal Turnaround
The semifinal had turned dramatically on J&K's refusal to panic after conceding a first-innings lead. Bengal piled up 328 runs, powered by Sudip Kumar Gharami's superb 146, and then had J&K out for 302 in reply, with Shami ripping through the innings with 8/90.
Yet J&K stayed within reach through Samad's counter-attacking 82, Dogra's 58, and valuable lower-order runs that kept the deficit to just 26 runs.
Few might have expected J&K to flip that deficit into a ticket to the final. But coach Sharma insisted the belief never wavered. "I told the boys that the match is not over. We have two more days. Cricket always gives you a second chance. Red-ball cricket is a dangerous game," the 61-year-old Sharma said.
Day 3: The Decisive Collapse
Day 3 delivered the match's decisive lurch as Bengal, under pressure, collapsed for just 99 runs in 25.1 overs. Sunil Kumar grabbed 4/27 and Auqib Nabi—the breakout fast bowler this season—took 4/36 to complete a match haul of 9/123.
Dogra underlined how quickly the equation changed. "That was not a significant lead (26 runs) and we still had seven sessions of play. But of course we never expected them (Bengal) to fold so cheaply," he said.
Personal Milestones and Team Spirit
The final will carry personal meaning for Dogra, a veteran who crossed 10,000 Ranji runs during this match and now finds himself within a game of the trophy that has eluded him throughout his career.
"It will be big for me. My first Ranji final too. I never thought that I would get such a good group of players," Dogra said, adding: "There was belief in everyone from the beginning of the season that we can win the Ranji Trophy."
Both Dogra and coach Sharma could not stop talking about pacer Auqib Nabi. "He is a match-winner for us," Dogra emphasized. "He has good work ethics and has been disciplined."
Coach Sharma believes bigger things are not far away for the 29-year-old from Baramulla. "Age is on his side and he has developed the skill set. He will play the IPL (for Delhi Capitals) and if he performs there, the sky's the limit for him," Sharma said.
Key Performers Behind the Historic Achievement
Auqib Nabi: The medium-pacer has been phenomenal throughout the season, taking 12 wickets (7/40 & 5/70) against MP in the quarterfinal, and 9 wickets (5/87 & 4/36) in the semifinal. With an 8.4 crore IPL deal with Delhi Capitals, an India Test call-up could be next. This season: 9 matches, 55 wickets, average 12.7, economy rate 2.7, strike rate 28.5.
Sunil Kumar: The left-arm medium-pacer has been the perfect foil to Nabi. His 3/41 & 4/27 in the semifinals proved crucial. This season: 8 matches, 29 wickets, average 15.1, economy rate 2.6, strike rate 34.9.
Abdul Samad: The middle-order batter's composure under pressure has seen him pull off several rescue acts. In the semifinals, he first slammed 82, then scored an unbeaten 30 off 27 balls to finish a tricky chase. This season: 9 matches, 655 runs, average 59.5.
Paras Dogra: The skipper has led with both bat and tactical acumen. Fittingly, the 41-year-old has become only the second batter to cross 10,000 runs in the Ranji Trophy. This season: 9 matches, 551 runs, average 42.4.
The final awaits, and Jammu & Kashmir have earned the right to dream all the way to what could be their first-ever Ranji Trophy championship.
Brief scores: J&K 302 (Samad 82, Shami 8-90) & 126/4 (Vanshaj 43, Samad 30*, Akash Deep 3-46) beat Bengal 328 (Gharami 146, Nabi 5-87) & 99 (Shahbaz 24, Sunil 4-27, Nabi 4-36) by 6 wickets.
