Jammu & Kashmir's Historic Ranji Final Run Sparks India Call-Up Demands

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has hailed Jammu and Kashmir's historic entry into the Ranji Trophy final as a "very big moment" for the region, while strongly advocating for national team call-ups for standout performers. Speaking on Friday during the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 final in Karnataka, Abdullah emphasized that the team's remarkable journey has not only brought them to the brink of history but also strengthened the case for players to earn India caps.

A Landmark Achievement for Jammu & Kashmir

"It is a very big moment for us to reach the final because this is the first time J-K has reached the final of the Ranji Trophy. Many people said that they could not go beyond this stage. But the way they performed in the first innings, we are expecting to win the trophy from here," Abdullah stated on the sidelines of the match. He further asserted, "I think it is time our players are invited or asked to play for the country. One or two of them definitely deserve to wear the Indian colours."

Dominant Performance on Day 4 Against Karnataka

On the field, Jammu and Kashmir tightened their grip on the summit clash against the Karnataka cricket team, finishing Day 4 with an imposing overall lead of 477 runs at the Hubli Cricket Ground in Karnataka. Replying to J&K's formidable first-innings total of 584, Karnataka resumed Day 4 at 220/5 and leaned heavily on skipper Mayank Agarwal.

The right-hander added 30 runs to his overnight 130, crafting a fighting 160 off 266 deliveries, laced with 21 boundaries. However, disciplined bowling ensured wickets continued to fall at the other end. Key moments included:

Sahil Lotra ended a vital 79-run stand by dismissing Kruthik Krishna for 36.
Sunil Kumar removed Vidhyadhar Patil.
The turning point came when Auquib Nabi Dar trapped Agarwal in front, swinging momentum decisively towards J-K.
Nabi also sent back Shikhar Shetty, and Yudhvir Singh Charak wrapped up the innings by removing Prasidh Krishna.

Karnataka were dismissed for 293 in 93.3 overs, conceding a hefty 291-run first-innings deficit.

Jammu & Kashmir's Second Innings Builds Commanding Lead

Jammu and Kashmir's second innings began shakily with Yawer Hassan and first-innings centurion Shubham Pundir departing early. Captain Paras Dogra was bowled by Krishna after a brief stay. However, Abdul Samad then contributed 32 crucial runs and shared a steadying 73-run partnership with Qamran Iqbal to rebuild the innings.

By stumps on Day 4, Iqbal remained unbeaten on 94 off 160 balls, with Sahil Lotra not out on 16, as J-K extended their lead to 477 runs and edged closer to a maiden Ranji Trophy triumph. Abdullah travelled to Karnataka on Friday to witness what he hopes will be Jammu and Kashmir lifting their first-ever Ranji Trophy title on Saturday.

Broader Implications for Cricket in the Region

This historic run has not only put Jammu and Kashmir on the cricketing map but also ignited discussions about talent recognition at the national level. The team's performance under pressure, particularly in a high-stakes final, showcases the growing depth and resilience of cricket in the region. As Abdullah highlighted, this achievement could pave the way for greater opportunities and visibility for players from Jammu and Kashmir in Indian cricket.