History was made on February 18 as Jammu and Kashmir clinched a thrilling semifinal win against Bengal, marching into the Ranji Trophy final for the very first time. Paras Dogra’s men defied odds, blending tactical acumen with raw determination.
All-round maestro Aquib Nabi stole the spotlight, ripping through Bengal with nine wickets and chipping in with 42 vital runs. His Player of the Match award was a fitting tribute, building on his quarterfinal demolition of Karnataka where he took 12 scalps.
Recapping the Eden Gardens thriller: Bengal amassed 328 in the first essay. J&K fought back to 302, setting up a tense follow-on scenario. Nabi’s lethal spell alongside Sunil Kumar then crushed Bengal for 99, leaving 126 to get. Unfazed, J&K romped home, four down, thanks to Vanshaj Sharma’s masterful 43* and Abdul Samad’s steady 30*.
Echoes of joy reverberated through Jammu and Kashmir, amplified by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s heartfelt X post. ‘Heartiest congratulations! With grit and faith, you’ve authored a golden chapter in our sporting history,’ she exclaimed, capturing the region’s euphoria.
Beyond the scoreboard, this win symbolizes resilience for a team from a strife-torn region. Poised for the February 24 final against either Karnataka or Uttarakhand, J&K stands on the cusp of immortality. Cricket fever grips the Valley like never before.