Jammu & Kashmir Enter First-Ever Ranji Trophy Final, Omar Abdullah Heaps Praise

Considered perennial underdogs, Jammu & Kashmir scripted history on Wednesday after defeating Bengal in a gripping final at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground to storm into their maiden Ranji Trophy final.

After opting to field, J&K conceded 328 in the first innings, built around Sudip Kumar Gharami’s resolute 146. In reply, they fought hard to post 302, trailing by just 26 runs, even as Bengal’s attack was led by a masterclass from Mohammed Shami, who claimed career-best figures of 8/90.

Here’s a breakdown of the entire semi-final match

The contest turned dramatically in the second innings when J&K’s pace unit unleashed a relentless spell of seam bowling.

Auqib Nabi and Sunil Kumar led the charge, triggering a stunning collapse that saw Bengal bowled out for only 99. Yudhvir Singh Charak provided crucial support, ensuring J&K were handed a manageable target of 126.

Chasing on a challenging Day 4 surface, J&K faced early pressure as they slipped to 12/2.

However, composure defined their response. Vanshaj Sharma anchored the innings with an unbeaten 43, while Shubham Pundir and captain Paras Dogra played steady supporting roles.

The team crossed the finish line with six wickets in hand, triggering emotional celebrations and confirming their place in the final.

This campaign has been shaped by fearless cricket, timely middle-order recoveries, and a fast-bowling trio that consistently extracted movement on unresponsive pitches.

Earlier wins over established sides such as Karnataka and Mumbai instilled the belief that J&K could challenge any opponent.

What did J&K CM Omar Abdullah say about this historic feat?

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah hailed the achievement as a collective triumph of players and support staff, calling it a victory for the entire region. He

expressed hope that this success would soon translate into more players from Jammu and Kashmir representing India at the highest level.

For a region long constrained by infrastructural and logistical challenges, this breakthrough is being seen as a sporting renaissance.

J&K now head into the final as sentimental favourites, but their dismantling of a star-studded Bengal side suggests they are far more than a feel-good story.

They have emerged as a disciplined, resilient, and formidable unit, ready to compete for Indian domestic cricket’s ultimate prize

(With inputs from ANI)