Hubbali, Feb 28 (NationPress) In a historic moment for Indian domestic cricket, Jammu & Kashmir achieved a significant milestone by securing their first-ever Ranji Trophy title. This victory came after they established a commanding first-innings lead and ultimately settled for a draw against the eight-time champions Karnataka at the Hubli Cricket Ground on Saturday.

Demonstrating exceptional skill with both bat and ball throughout the five-day final, Jammu & Kashmir exhibited dominance in every aspect of the game. They built a remarkable first-innings lead of 291 runs before declaring their second innings at 342/4 on the final day. With the result out of reach, both captains agreed to a handshake, igniting emotional celebrations among the Jammu & Kashmir players, coaching staff, and supporters as they finally claimed the coveted domestic trophy.

The visitors took early control after deciding to bat first, led by a historic century from Shubham Pundir. His unbeaten 117 anchored Jammu & Kashmir to a score of 284/2 at the end of the first day, marking him as the first player from the state to score a century in a Ranji Trophy final, showcasing his patience and command against a disciplined Karnataka bowling attack.

Pundir received solid backing from Yawer Hassan (88) and Abdul Samad (52 not out), with Samad contributing a swift half-century that kept Jammu & Kashmir in control throughout the opening sessions. They continued their dominance into Day 2, with significant contributions from several players. Captain Paras Dogra made a steadfast half-century, while Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70) and Sahil Lotra (57 not out) ensured that momentum remained firmly in their favor.

Despite a five-wicket haul from Karnataka's seamer Prasidh Krishna, Jammu & Kashmir amassed an impressive total of 584 runs, applying consistent pressure on their opponents. Lotra’s calm innings underscored the team's depth and composure, preventing any collapse and forcing Karnataka into a defensive position.

On Day 3, Jammu & Kashmir's bowlers backed their batsmen effectively, with Auqib Nabi Dar delivering a match-altering spell. His incisive seam bowling dismantled key Karnataka batsmen, including KL Rahul, Karun Nair, and Smaran Ravichandran, reducing Karnataka to 57/4 at one stage. Although Karnataka captain Mayank Agarwal produced a remarkable century, scoring 130 not out, Jammu & Kashmir maintained their grip on the game.

Earlier, Lotra (72), Abid Mushtaq (28), and Yudhvir Singh Charak (30) ensured that Jammu & Kashmir's first innings surpassed the 580-run mark, further asserting their dominance.

On Day 4, despite Agarwal's valiant effort, which concluded at 160, Karnataka was bowled out for 293. Auqib Nabi finished with an impressive five-wicket haul, granting Jammu & Kashmir a commanding 291-run first-innings lead that essentially decided the match. With ample time and the title within their reach, Jammu & Kashmir approached their second innings with poise, even after a brief slip to 11/2.

Opener Qamran Iqbal became the architect of the title-winning innings, delivering a brilliant performance under pressure. He forged crucial partnerships with Dogra and Samad, eventually combining with Lotra to completely eliminate Karnataka's chances of a comeback.

Resuming Day 5 at 186/4, Iqbal achieved a memorable century and continued his masterclass, finishing with 160 runs off 311 balls in a marathon inning marked by discipline, temperament, and technical prowess. At the other end, Lotra capped a dream match with his maiden first-class century, remaining unbeaten on 101, following an impressive 72 in the first innings and highlighting his emergence as a star performer.

Their unbroken partnership drained Karnataka's final hopes, stretching Jammu & Kashmir's lead well past 600 runs before captain Dogra declared at 342/4, officially sealing the victory. The triumph of Jammu & Kashmir was built on collective excellence rather than individual feats alone. Pundir's historic century set the stage, Lotra contributed with both bat and mental fortitude, and Auqib Nabi's relentless bowling ensured Karnataka could never recover from the substantial deficit.

Throughout the contest, Jammu & Kashmir exhibited remarkable discipline, composure, and belief, maintaining control from the opening session of Day 1 until the final declaration. In their first-ever Ranji Trophy final, Jammu & Kashmir showed no signs of nerves against one of India's most successful domestic teams. Instead, they dictated the match, executed their strategies flawlessly, and rose to the occasion with maturity beyond their experience.

After 67 years of participation in India's premier domestic tournament, Jammu & Kashmir finally lifted the Ranji Trophy, marking a historic and emotional milestone for cricket in the region.

Brief scores: Jammu & Kashmir 584 all out & 342/4 dec (Qamran Iqbal 160*, Sahil Lotra 101*; Prasidh Krishna 2-42) beat Karnataka 293 all out (Mayank Agarwal 160, Kruthik Krishna 36; Auqib Nabi Dar 5-54) with first-innings lead.