PM Modi Applauds J&K Cricket Team's Historic Ranji Trophy Win
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New Delhi, Feb 28 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team for achieving their first-ever Ranji Trophy title. He termed this remarkable feat as a moment of pride for the region and emphasized the team's unwavering grit, discipline, and passion.
"Kudos to the Jammu and Kashmir team for their inaugural Ranji Trophy victory. This historic accomplishment showcases the exceptional grit, discipline, and passion of the squad,” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Jammu & Kashmir team created history at the Hubli Cricket Ground by securing the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 final, leveraging a substantial first-innings lead against the eight-time champions Karnataka. This victory marks their first title in 67 years of competing in India’s premier domestic tournament.
"This is a proud moment for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, showcasing the region’s growing sporting passion and talent,” PM Modi remarked.
He expressed hope that this landmark achievement would inspire future athletes from the region to chase their dreams with ambition and confidence. "May this triumph encourage many young athletes to aspire for greatness and engage more in sports,” the Prime Minister added.
J&K amassed an impressive total of 584 in their first innings, with Shubham Pundir scoring a century and solid contributions from the rest of the team. Their bowling attack, led by Auqib Nabi Dar, the tournament’s top wicket-taker, dismantled Karnataka for just 293, establishing a strong lead.
In their second innings, Jammu & Kashmir continued to assert dominance against Karnataka’s formidable bowling lineup, highlighted by Qamran Iqbal’s outstanding 160 and Sahil Lotra’s maiden first-class century, pushing the score to 342/4 before captain Paras Dogra declared. With the lead far exceeding Karnataka’s reach and time running out, the match concluded in a draw, bestowing a historic victory upon Jammu & Kashmir based on their commanding first-innings performance.