Ranji Trophy 2025-26 Final: Auqib Nabi’s Five-Wicket Haul Puts J&K Ahead by 291 Runs
Synopsis
In a thrilling encounter at the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 Final, Auqib Nabi's stellar five-wicket haul leads Jammu & Kashmir to a commanding 291-run first-innings advantage over Karnataka. The match showcased exceptional bowling and fierce batting, keeping cricket fans on the edge of their seats.
Key Takeaways
Auqib Nabi secured his seventh five-wicket haul.
Jammu & Kashmir leads by 291 runs after bowling out Karnataka .
Mayank Agarwal scored a valiant 160 runs for Karnataka.
Karnataka managed only 293 runs in their first innings.
The match is set for an exciting conclusion in the coming days.
Hubli, Feb 27 (NationPress) Right-arm fast bowler Auqib Nabi achieved his seventh five-wicket haul of the season, leading Jammu & Kashmir to bowl out Karnataka for 293 runs in 93.3 overs, establishing a significant 291-run first-innings advantage in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 Final at the Hubli Cricket Ground on Friday.
Karnataka approached their innings with caution, accumulating just 27 runs in the first ten overs in response to Jammu and Kashmir’s first-innings score of 584. Auqib maintained pressure with several maiden overs and secured the first breakthrough in the 12th over, forcing a faint edge from Rahul, which wicketkeeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan easily collected.
Things worsened for the visitors when Sunil Kumar sent Devdutt Padikkal back to the pavilion. Moments later, Nabi struck twice in consecutive deliveries, dismissing Karun Nair and Smaran Ravichandran, leaving Karnataka struggling at 57/4.
Amid the turmoil, Mayank Agarwal played a resilient innings, forming a 105-run partnership with Shreyas Gopal. The former captain reached his century off 153 balls. However, Jammu and Kashmir seized a crucial wicket when Yudhvir Singh Charak trapped Gopal lbw for 27 with a sharp delivery.
Despite the loss of partners, Mayank anchored the innings while receiving solid support from Kruthik Krishna. The duo batted patiently, ensuring no further wickets fell for the remainder of Day 3.
On Day 4, J&K broke the partnership early when Sahil Lotra bowled Krishna for 36 in the 77th over. Sushil Kumar then dismissed Vidyadhar Patil in the 84th over, reducing Karnataka to 256/7.
Even after losing partners, Mayank continued attacking loose deliveries, finding the boundary repeatedly. After surviving several dropped catches, he was eventually dismissed in the 91st over when Auqib trapped him with a well-placed good-length ball. Mayank scored 160 runs off 266 balls, including 21 fours.
Auqib capped off his five-wicket haul by bowling out Shikhar Shetty, while Yudhvir Singh claimed the final wicket of Prasidh Krishna, leading to Karnataka’s total being restricted to 293.
Summary: Jammu & Kashmir 584 all out (Shubham Pundir 121, Yawer Hassan 88, Sahil Lotra 72, Kanhaiya Wadhawan 70, Paras Dogra 70; Prasidh Krishna 5-98) leads Karnataka 293 all out in 93.3 overs (Mayank Agarwal 160, Kruthik Krishna 36; Auqib Nabi Dar 5-54, Sushil Kumar 2-51, Yudhvir Singh Charak 2-55) by 291 runs.
Point of View
Particularly through Auqib Nabi's remarkable bowling, sets the stage for an exciting conclusion to the match. The resilience of Karnataka's batting line-up, especially Mayank Agarwal, adds depth to the contest, making for a riveting cricket encounter.
NationPress
2 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Auqib Nabi's performance?
Auqib Nabi's five-wicket haul is significant as it marks his seventh of the season and played a crucial role in establishing Jammu & Kashmir's commanding lead in the final.
How did Karnataka respond to Jammu & Kashmir's first innings?
Karnataka started cautiously, struggling to build momentum and eventually being bowled out for 293, well short of Jammu & Kashmir's total of 584.
Who were the key players for Karnataka in their innings?
Mayank Agarwal was the standout performer for Karnataka, scoring 160 runs, supported by Kruthik Krishna with 36 runs.
What was the final score of both innings?
Jammu & Kashmir scored 584 all out while Karnataka managed 293 all out in response.
How many wickets did Auqib Nabi take?
Auqib Nabi took 5 wickets for 54 runs in the match.
