Ranji Trophy Final: Jammu & Kashmir to Bat First Against Karnataka
Synopsis
In a thrilling Ranji Trophy final, Jammu and Kashmir won the toss and elected to bat first against Karnataka. As they seek their maiden title, Karnataka aims to reclaim glory after more than a decade.
Key Takeaways
Jammu & Kashmir: First-time finalists aiming for maiden title.
Karnataka: Seeking to reclaim their crown after a decade.
Captains: Paras Dogra leads J&K; Devdutt Padikkal captains Karnataka.
J&K's only loss this season was to Mumbai.
Karnataka's journey featured significant ups and downs.
Hubli, Feb 24 (NationPress) Jammu and Kashmir has won the toss and chosen to bat first against the eight-time champions Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy final at the KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground this Tuesday.
Jammu & Kashmir is making their first appearance in the Ranji Trophy final. Interestingly, the last team to claim their first Ranji Trophy title was Madhya Pradesh in the 2021-22 season.
Under the leadership of captain Paras Dogra, J&K is vying for their inaugural title, while Devdutt Padikkal’s Karnataka is seeking their first crown in over a decade. J&K's only setback this season was a close 35-run defeat against Mumbai in October, but they have bounced back impressively since.
Karnataka's journey this season has been tumultuous. They were in a solid position before the tournament's break for the white-ball leg. However, upon resumption, they faced a major setback with a heavy loss to Madhya Pradesh. This left them with minimal margin for error, compounded by weather disruptions and resistance from Punjab that tightened their path to qualification.
When it mattered most, newly appointed skipper Padikkal stepped up, scoring an unbeaten 120 to guide his team into the quarterfinals as daylight faded. They then built momentum with a convincing win over Mumbai, followed by a dominating performance against Uttarakhand, which secured their role as hosts for the final.
Playing XIs:
Jammu and Kashmir: Paras Dogra (c), Qamran Iqbal, Yawer Hassan, Shubham Singh Pundir, Abdul Samad, Kanhaiya Wadhawan (wk), Abid Mushtaq, Auqib Nabi, Yudhvir Singh, Sahil Lotra, Sunil Kumar
Karnataka: KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Devdutt Padikkal (c), Karun Nair, Smaran Ravichandran, Shreyas Gopal, Kruthik Krishna (wk), Vidyadhar Patil, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Shikhar Shetty, Prasidh Krishna
Point of View
This match represents a significant milestone for Jammu and Kashmir cricket, while Karnataka seeks to rediscover their past glory. Both teams have compelling narratives that enhance the excitement of this final.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which team won the toss in the Ranji Trophy final?
Jammu and Kashmir won the toss and opted to bat first.
When is the Ranji Trophy final being played?
The final is being played on February 24 at the KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground.
What is the historical significance of this match for Jammu and Kashmir?
This is Jammu and Kashmir's first appearance in the Ranji Trophy final.
Who is leading the Karnataka team?
The Karnataka team is captained by Devdutt Padikkal.
What was Jammu and Kashmir's performance like this season?
Jammu and Kashmir suffered only one defeat this season, a 35-run loss to Mumbai.
