Asif Iqbal
Srinagar, Feb 27 : Jammu and Kashmir tightened their stranglehold on the Ranji Trophy Elite 2025-26 final, moving to the brink of a historic maiden title after stretching their overall lead to 477 runs against Karnataka at the KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground on Friday.
Having already amassed a formidable 584 in their first innings, J&K, as per GNS, bowled out Karnataka for 293 earlier on Day 4 to secure a commanding 291-run first-innings advantage. By stumps, they had progressed to 186 for four in their second essay, firmly dictating the course of the five-day summit clash.
The morning belonged to Auqib Nabi Dar, who once again underlined his stature as J&K’s spearhead. Completing a superb spell, Nabi returned figures of 5 for 54 to register his seventh five-wicket haul of the season and take his tally to 60 wickets. His incisive seam bowling dismantled Karnataka’s middle order and wrapped up the tail, ensuring the hosts could not substantially narrow the deficit.
Sunil Kumar (2/51) and Yudhvir Singh Charak (2/55) complemented Nabi effectively, striking at key intervals to maintain relentless pressure. Karnataka’s innings ended at 293 when Prasidh Krishna was caught at mid-on for 4.
The bulk of Karnataka’s resistance came from Mayank Agarwal, who produced a determined 160 off 266 deliveries, striking 21 boundaries in a display of composure and endurance. Despite his marathon effort, support from the other end remained limited, leaving the southern side well short of parity and conceding a decisive first-innings lead.
Armed with a substantial lead, J&K approached their second innings with measured assurance. Early setbacks saw Yawer Hassan and Shubham Pundir fall cheaply, reducing the side to 11 for two. Paras Dogra made 16 before being bowled by Prasidh Krishna, while Abdul Samad contributed a steady 32 off 70 balls, including four boundaries and a six, before falling to Shreyas Gopal.
However, opener Qamran Iqbal stood firm at the top. Blending patience with positive strokeplay, he compiled a fluent unbeaten 94 from 160 deliveries, striking 11 fours and a six. His assured presence at the crease blunted Karnataka’s hopes of a resurgence and allowed J&K to steadily extend their dominance. Sahil Lotra remained not out on 16 off 41 balls at stumps as the visitors closed the day in complete command.
With one day remaining, Karnataka face the daunting prospect of chasing a towering fourth-innings target or bowling J&K out quickly to leave themselves adequate time.
For the unversed, under Ranji Trophy final regulations, an outright win decides the champion. In the event of a draw, the team holding the first-innings lead is awarded the title. Having already secured a 291-run advantage on that count, J&K hold a decisive edge.
A composed final-day performance now stands between Jammu and Kashmir and what would be a landmark achievement in their domestic cricket history. As the final enters its concluding chapter, the momentum remains firmly with the northern side.
Meanwhile, grapevine is rife that Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is expected to visit the final Day play to buoy up the team on an anticipated historic day. (GNS)
