Breaking a 67-year drought, Jammu and Kashmir’s cricket team became Ranji Trophy champions for the first time, outclassing Karnataka in the 2025-26 Elite final via a first-innings lead after a draw. The victory has sparked jubilation, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi showering praise on the team’s grit.
PM Modi shared on X: ‘Kudos to Jammu and Kashmir for their first Ranji Trophy title. This epic win highlights the squad’s patience, discipline, and fiery passion. It’s a moment of pride for J&K’s people, reflecting booming sports culture and talent pool. This milestone will surely spur young players to aim high in sports.’
J&K amassed 584 in their opening innings, driven by Shubham Pundir’s 121 and Yawar Hassan’s valuable 88. Karnataka folded for 293 despite Mayank Agarwal’s defiant 160. Bowling honors went to Aukib Nabi Dar (5/54), with Yudhvir Singh and Sunil Kumar chipping in 2 wickets apiece.
The second innings reinforced J&K’s superiority: Kamran Iqbal’s 160 (16 fours, 3 sixes), 32 from Abdul Samad, and Sahil Lotra’s unbeaten 101. Karnataka’s Prashanth Krishna took 2 wickets, but couldn’t stem the tide.
This landmark success underscores J&K’s transformation in cricket. From tough terrains to national glory, it showcases determination and systemic support. PM Modi’s words resonate as a call to action, encouraging more youth to embrace cricket and other sports for personal and regional growth.