Saturday in Hubli marked a landmark moment for Jammu and Kashmir cricket as they defeated eight-time champions Karnataka in the 2025/26 Ranji Trophy final to secure their first-ever title.
Playing their maiden final in a 66-year journey, the Paras Dogra-led side dominated proceedings. They piled up a massive 584 in the first innings, effectively batting Karnataka out of the contest. Spearheaded by Auqib Nabi’s five-wicket haul, they dismissed Karnataka for 293 to claim a 291-run advantage. The lead was later stretched to 633 before the declaration came.
With the Ranji Trophy entering the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association’s cabinet for the first time, here is a look at the key records achieved during their title-winning campaign.
1. Maiden Ranji Trophy title in first final appearance
Jammu and Kashmir became only the ninth team in history to win the Ranji Trophy in their debut final in 2025/26. The first side to accomplish this feat was Bombay in 1934/35, while the most recent before them was Vidarbha in 2017/18.
Teams to win the Ranji Trophy in their first final:
- Bombay (now Mumbai) – 1934/35
- Nawanagar – 1936/37
- Hyderabad – 1937/38
- Maharashtra – 1939/40
- Baroda – 1942/43
- Karnataka – 1973
- Punjab – 1992/93
- Vidarbha – 2017/18
- Jammu and Kashmir – 2025/26
2. Auqib Nabi joins elite 60-wicket pacers list
Lead pacer Auqib Nabi became only the third fast bowler to claim 60 or more wickets in a single Ranji Trophy season. He finished with 60 wickets in 2025/26, adding to his status as the leading wicket-taking pacer in 2024/25 as well.
Pacers with 60+ wickets in a Ranji Trophy season:
- Dodda Ganesh – 62 wickets in 1998/99
- Jaydev Unadkat – 67 wickets in 2019/20
- Auqib Nabi – 60 wickets in 2025/26
3. Abdul Samad among top run-scorers for J&K in a season
Abdul Samad, crucial during the knockout phase, ended the season with 748 runs in 15 innings, the third-highest tally for Jammu and Kashmir in a Ranji Trophy season. He became the first batter from the team to cross 700 runs in a season since Shubham Khajuria and Ian Dev Singh in 2016/17.
Most runs for Jammu and Kashmir in a Ranji Trophy season:
- Shubham Khajuria (2016/17) – 777 runs in 17 innings
- Ian Dev Singh (2015/16) – 773 runs in 15 innings
- Abdul Samad (2025/26) – 748 runs in 15 innings
- Ian Dev Singh (2016/17) – 702 runs in 16 innings
- Parvez Rassol (2018/19) – 684 runs in 17 innings
4. Auqib Nabi reaches 150 First-Class wickets
Nabi also entered an exclusive group by becoming only the fourth Jammu and Kashmir bowler to complete 150 First-Class wickets. He holds the best average among the quartet, conceding 18.30 runs per wicket with a strike rate of 38.03.
Most First-Class wickets for Jammu and Kashmir bowlers:
- Parvez Rasool – 249 wickets in 121 innings
- Ram Dayal – 155 wickets in 84 innings
- Samiullah Beigh – 155 wickets in 95 innings
- Auqib Nabi – 150 wickets in 64 innings
5. Five-wicket hauls in all three knockout matches
Nabi’s figures of 5/54 against Karnataka in the final made him only the sixth bowler to register five-wicket hauls in the quarter-final, semi-final and final of a single Ranji Trophy season. The last to achieve the milestone was Rajneesh Gurbani in 2017/18.
Bowlers with five-wicket hauls in QF, SF and Final of a Ranji season:
- Vitthal Joshi (Maharashtra) – 1970/71
- Karsan Gharvi (Bombay) – 1976/77
- Rajinder Hans (Uttar Pradesh) – 1977/78
- Maninder Singh (Delhi) – 1991/92
- Rajneesh Gurbani (Vidarbha) – 2017/18
- Auqib Nabi (Jammu and Kashmir) – 2025/26
With their historic triumph secured, Jammu and Kashmir now prepare for another challenge before the 2026/27 season begins. They are set to face the Rest of India in the Irani Cup, where a composite side of the country’s top players will stand in opposition.
Meanwhile, Auqib Nabi’s standout campaign could open further opportunities, including a potential India call-up ahead of the New Zealand tour scheduled later in 2026.
