What a turnaround! Jammu and Kashmir pulled off an improbable semi-final upset, thrashing Bengal by 6 wickets to storm into the Ranji Trophy final for the very first time. The match at Kalyani witnessed J&K’s bowlers and batsmen combining to shatter Bengal’s hopes on February 18.
Needing 126 for victory, J&K slipped to 4 down but recovered brilliantly. Vanshraj Sharma’s 43* and Abdul Samad’s 30* formed a match-defining 55-run partnership, guiding the team to a famous chase.
The game swung J&K’s way from the outset. Opting to bowl, they restricted Bengal to 328 despite Sudip’s 146, Easwaran’s 49, Ahmed’s 42, and Gupta’s 39. Aquib Nabi (5 wickets), Sunil Kumar (3), Yudhvir Singh (1), and Abid Mushtaq (1) starred.
J&K mustered 302 in reply, with Samad’s 82 anchoring the innings, backed by Dogra (58), Nabi (42), and Singh (22). Shami’s 8-wicket haul and Kumar’s 2 gave Bengal a 26-run edge.
But Bengal’s second innings was a debacle – all out for 99 against Nabi and Sunil Kumar’s identical 4-wicket hauls, plus Mushtaq’s brace.
This victory is J&K’s finest hour in domestic cricket. Aquib Nabi, with 9 wickets and 42 runs, rightfully claimed Player of the Match. The final beckons, promising more excitement.