In a David vs Goliath showdown, Jammu and Kashmir face Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy Elite 2025-26 final at Hubli’s KSCA ground from February 24. Captain Paras Dogra’s J&K team stands on the brink of immortality, chasing their first silverware. Karnataka, under Devdutt Padikkal, boasts eight titles and is desperate for a ninth after years without one.
J&K’s resilience shines through their season narrative. A early hiccup against Mumbai by 35 runs only spurred them on to victories over Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Bengal. The squad’s depth, from Umaran Malik’s express pace to Abdul Samad’s big-hitting and Yudhvir Singh’s all-round prowess, has propelled them here, offering a chance to redefine cricket’s landscape in Jammu and Kashmir.
Karnataka’s semi-final statement against Uttarakhand—736 and 323 runs—underscores their batting depth. Stars like KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, and R Samarth have feasted on attacks, while their bowling, led by Prasidh Krishna, remains potent. Recovering from a single loss to MP, with Padikkal and Nair set to return, they enter as favorites.
Viewers can watch live on Star Sports or stream via JioHotstar. Squad details: J&K – Paras Dogra (c), Abdul Samad, Shubham Khajuria, Kamarun Iqbal, Abid Mushtaq, Vivanrat Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Umran Malik, Yudhvir Singh, Aquib Nabi, Sunil Kumar, Lone Nasir, Muhtaba Yousuf, Musafir Ejaz, Sahil Lotra, Vanshaj Sharma, Umar Nazir Meer, Kanhaiya Wadhawan, Yawar Hassan. Karnataka – Devdutt Padikkal (c), Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, KV Anish, R Samarth, Shreyas Gopal, Kritik Krishna, Vaisakh Vijaykumar, Vidyadhar Patil, Vidwath Kaverappa, Prasidh Krishna, Mohsin Khan, Shikhar Shetty, KL Shrijit.
This final isn’t just about the trophy; it’s a story of ambition clashing with tradition, with lasting echoes for Indian domestic cricket.