1 min readFeb 28, 2026 02:18 PM IST

Jammu and Kashmir have made history. Fast bowler Auqib Nabi’s stellar show with the ball, coupled with centuries from Shubham Pundir in the first innings and Qamran Iqbal in the second has helped them pip a star-studded Karnataka to 2025/26 Ranji Trophy title. It marks the first time that they have won India’s premier first class domestic title and marks a remarkable turnaround for a team that was rarely ever taken seriously as opponents by most teams for much of their 66-year history in the Ranji Trophy.

Jammu and Kashmir played their first game was in 1960. However, their first victory in the competition came only in their 99th match in 1982. Incidentally, it also happened to be the year that Karnataka won their third title. This 2025/26 final was their 346th match in Ranji history, and only their 47th match win. It brigs to an end a remarkable season in which they lost just one match, which came in Srinagar against Mumbai.