After how many days did Jammu & Kashmir qualify for Ranji Trophy final?

Jammu & Kashmir defeated Bengal in the semi-final of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26.

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) created history by qualifying for the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 final. They achieved this feat after defeating Bengal in the semi-final that was played at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground, Kalyani, from February 15 onwards.

J&K captain Paras Dogra had won the toss and chose to field first. Sudip Kumar Gharami hammered 146, while Abhimanyu Easwaran (49) and Shahbaz Ahmed made 42 as Bengal made 328 in the first innings. Auqib Nabi picked 5/87, and Sunil Kumar took three wickets.

In response, J&K made 302 runs, as Paras Dogra made 58 and Abdul Samad made 82, while Auqib Nabi (42) and Yudhvir Singh (33) contributed with the bat as well. Mohammed Shami shone for Bengal, taking his career-best 8/90.

However, in the second innings, Bengal completely capitulated against J&K pacers, Nabi and Kumar took four wickets each, and Yudhvir took two scalps to bowl Bengal out for 99 runs. J&K were set 126 runs to win the game, and they achieved the target by 6 wickets thanks to Vanshraj Sharma’s 43*.

Jammu and Kashmir qualify for the final of the Ranji Trophy for the first time

J&K created history as they advanced to their first-ever Ranji Trophy final with this massive victory. The historic success, which occurred on the final day at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground, is the peak of a team’s ten-year rise from underdogs.

With this triumph, Jammu and Kashmir became the first Himalayan team to reach the final of India’s premier first-class championship. It took them 67 years and 335 first-class matches to reach the Ranji Trophy final.

J&K’s journey to the final has not been simple. They have played an aggressive, daring style of cricket all season long. Their campaign has benefited greatly from the middle order, which has consistently kept the club out of trouble.

The quick bowling combo of Sunil Kumar, Auqib Nabi, and Yudhvir Singh Charak has been the talk of the season. They frequently extract movement out of tracks that don’t react.

The team had the confidence they needed to defeat a team like Bengal, full of skilled players, after defeating seasoned giants like Mumbai and Karnataka in the earlier stages.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday praised the combined hard work and dedication of the players, coaches, and support staff for the excellent performance of the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team in the Ranji Trophy.

The Chief Minister extended his greetings on behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and expressed confidence that cricketers from the region would soon make their mark across the world.

“On my behalf, and on behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, I extend heartfelt congratulations to all of them. I hope the day is not far when we will see players from Jammu and Kashmir playing a very important role in the national team,” the Chief Minister told reporters.

J&K are likely to face Karnataka in the final of the Ranji Trophy, as they have taken the first innings lead against Uttarakhand.

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