Jammu and Kashmir cricketer Sahil Lotra termed the team’s first-ever Ranji Trophy title a “massive achievement” and a “dream fulfilled” after their historic success in the 2025-26 season. Led by Paras Dogra, Jammu and Kashmir ended a 67-year wait for the crown as the final concluded in a draw, with the title awarded on the basis of a first-innings lead.
Lotra played a key role in the victory, contributing 72 in the first innings before scoring an unbeaten 101 in the third innings, an effort that helped bat Karnataka out of the contest.
Speaking to ANI, Lotra said, “This is a very special moment for me. It’s a massive achievement for the Jammu and Kashmir team to win the Ranji Trophy and fulfil the dream. We had been working hard for four years, and we played cricket for eight straight months this year. Before the Ranii Trophy season, we play the Buchi Babu tournament, which helps our preparations. Our coaches have supported us, too,” Lotra said.
He attributed the triumph to the squad’s balance and discipline throughout the competition.
“We took it as a normal match, we were not thinking of the opposition. The biggest plus for us was the team combination, team unity and the discipline we showed in this tournament. Everybody knew their roles and executed them well,” the J&K cricketer said.
How the Final Unfolded
Jammu and Kashmir secured the championship thanks to a commanding 291-run first-innings lead over Karnataka.
The groundwork for victory was laid across the opening two days, as J&K’s batters built a formidable total. Shubham Pundir led the charge with 121, while Yawer Hassan (88), captain Paras Dogra (70), Abdul Samad (61), Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70) and Sahil Lotra (72) all made valuable contributions to lift the side to 584 in the first innings.
For Karnataka, pacer Prasidh Krishna stood out with figures of 5/98 in 34.1 overs, emerging as the lone bowler to make a significant impact.
Despite featuring international players such as KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Devdutt Padikkal and Karun Nair, Karnataka struggled under scoreboard pressure. Mayank Agarwal’s 160 was the only substantial resistance as the team was bowled out for 293, handing Jammu and Kashmir a decisive 291-run advantage.
Auqib Nabi starred with the ball for J&K, claiming 5/54 in 23 overs to dismantle Karnataka’s middle order and effectively seal the contest by Day 4.
In their second innings, Jammu and Kashmir extended their dominance. Qamran Iqbal remained unbeaten on 160 as Paras Dogra declared at 342/4 on Day 5, setting an overall lead of 633 runs. With no realistic prospect of a result, both captains agreed to shake hands, sparking celebrations as the J&K players rushed onto the field.
Shubham Pundir was named Player of the Match, while Auqib Nabi received the Player of the Series award after finishing with 55 wickets in eight matches during the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season.
