Jammu And Kashmir's Historic Road To The Ranji Trophy Final

Jammu and Kashmir players [Source: @ImRaina/x]

In cricket, some of the most inspiring tales have rarely been scripted by pedigree alone. More often, they are shaped by grit and belief rather than reputation.

This Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season, one such story has unfolded from the majestic landscapes of Jammu and Kashmir to mark a cricketing ascent as breathtaking as the region’s natural beauty. The journey in question is that of a highly-overlooked Jammu and Kashmir squad that has defied all expectations by storming into its maiden Ranji final.

As players from the conflict-affected region brace themselves for a historic final against Karnataka, here we revisit some of the moments that have defined their march.

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Charting Jammu and Kashmir’s Remarkable Campaign

Humble Beginnings

Under the charismatic leadership of Paras Dogra, the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team started off its campaign with an Elite Group D match against domestic heavyweights Mumbai. Overwhelmed by the occasion and overpowered by Mumbai’s star power, the J&K succumbed to a 35-run defeat in Srinagar.

A Calculated Revival

Going forward, fans witnessed a considerable improvement in team’s pace bowling attack, which proved instrumental in dismantling their remaining six group opponents. The outcome? Jammu and Kashmir won three and drew three of its subsequent six matches to finish Group D at number two on the points table.

Parag Dogra’s astute leadership and batting acumen also came to the fore for the perennial underachievers, with the 41-year-old notching up a remarkable match-winning century against Delhi and fighting 50s against Himachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

In the quarterfinal, Dogra’s troops went up against a Rajat Patidar-led Madhya Pradesh side, a captain who not long ago helped Virat Kohli realize his long-unfulfilled IPL ambition. A spirited Jammu and Kashmir unit punched above its weight and secured a thrilling 56-run win, and made it to their first-ever semifinal appearance in Ranji Trophy.

The team then upped the ante further, sealing their first-ever final appearance by defeating a Mohammed Shami-laden Bengal in the semifinal.

Method Behind the Momentum

To sum up Jammu and Kashmir’s journey, the team seemingly adopted tactical evolution that defined their resurgence. Paras Dogra and co. transitioned from reactive cricket to calculated execution, and proved themselves a force of intent and intelligent execution rather than some romantic underdogs surviving on sentiment alone.

Pillars of the Surge

If structure sustained Jammu and Kashmir’s campaign, it was Auqib Nabi’s defining intervention against Rajasthan back in October 2025 that transformed the team’s promise into palpable belief. The Delhi Capitals speedster picked up 10 wickets in the match as his team decimated Rajasthan by an innings and 41 runs.

Nabi’s new ball pace mate Sunil Kumar also picked up four wickets of his own on Day 1 of the match as Jammu and Kashmir went on to register their first win of the tournament, thus marking an outcome that would go on to set the tone for the rest of their campaign.

With both Auqib Nabi and Sunil Kumar playing a major role in the team’s unprecedented rise over the past few months, here is a look at both their bowling stats this 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season so far.

Auqib Nabi and Sunil Kumar bowling stats 

Among the batters, young Abdul Samad has made his presence felt throughout the competition. With a batting average of nearly 60 and a strike rate of above 70, Samad’s counterattacking approach has repeatedly dented opposition’s momentum and tilted sessions back in J&K’s favour.

Captain Paras Dogra himself has risen like a phoenix after initial setbacks, fusing tactical clarity with calm authority through his composed policy at the crease. Together, both Samad and Dogra have embodied fire and ice for Jammu and Kashmir, with the former’s fearless stroke-play igniting team’s self-belief and the skipper’s watchful identity forming a dual force that has defined this remarkable surge.

Abdul Samad and Paras Dogra batting stats

Beyond The Final: What This Means For Cricket In Jammu and Kashmir?

Reaching a maiden final in the Ranji Trophy, India’s most prestigious cricket tournament, is not merely a sporting milestone. It is a moment of collective affirmation for a region that has long navigated political uncertainty.

The impact might well be profound on part of the region’s cricket association and even the BCCI. A generational Ranji Trophy run like this 2025-26 one will only further strengthen the case for improved infrastructure and exposure for young cricketers at the grassroots level.

The team has already sparked a noticeable shift in national perception, prompting Indian cricket fans to reconsider the region’s stature within the larger framework.

The Jammu and Kashmir team will now face Karnataka in the high-octane final of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season in Hubballi. As the Indian cricketing fraternity turns its gaze towards the KSCA Stadium, the contest itself is scheduled to unfold between February 24 and February 28.

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