I still can’t believe it — Jammu & Kashmir have done it. After 67 years of trying, after all the ups and downs, after all the heartbreaks and near misses, our team has finally won the Ranji trophy. And that too, against a side that has so many titles under its name and so much experience. It was played in Hubballi on 28th February 2026, and it is a match that will be remembered by every cricket fan in the valley for the rest of their lives.

J&K opted to bat after winning the toss, and to be honest, right from the first ball, it was clear that they were here to do business. Shubham Pundir played a fabulous innings to reach a century, but it was not just him; our captain Paras Dogra guided his team through a calm innings, and our young guns Abdul Samad, Kanhaiya Wadhawan, Qamran Iqbal, and Sahil Lotra contributed runs for their side as well. In the end, J&K had amassed 584 runs in the first innings. It was a huge score, and it set pressure on Karnataka right from the start.
When it was Karnataka’s turn to bat, our bowlers were right on the money as well. Auqib Nabi bowled like a man possessed, picking up five big scalps, and Karnataka could only muster 293 runs in their first innings. This gave us a lead of 291 runs, which basically meant that we were on the cusp of history as our fielding, our bowling, everyone was giving their best to win this game.
And then there was the second innings, and that’s when the magic happened. Qamran Iqbal and Sahil Lotra were the stars of the show, both getting hundreds and putting up an unbeaten partnership of 197 runs. We decided to declare at 342/4, and the overall lead was 633 runs. It did not matter that the match ended in a draw because Jammu & Kashmir won the Ranji Trophy for the first time. I don’t know how to describe the feeling.
Back home, the response was tremendous too. People were celebrating, sharing videos and messages everywhere. Streets, houses, even small tea stalls – everyone was celebrating. Even Chief Minister Omar Abdullah congratulated the team and announced a cash reward of 2 crores and jobs for the players and staff. That’s how important this victory is to the region. It’s not just a trophy – it’s a recognition of all the talent, hard work, and confidence that’s been building up in the region over the decades.
To me, this victory is more than just cricket. It’s hope, hard work, and dreams coming true. It’s been an inspiration for me to watch Nabi, Dogra, Iqbal, Lotra, and Pundir play so fearlessly, so determinedly, so unitedly. It’s shown me that if you are from a small place, if you are an underdog, if you believe in what you are doing, you can do something truly phenomenal.
This victory will change everything. It will change the lives of young kids in Kashmir. It will change their perceptions of cricket. It will change their perceptions of what they think they are capable of. It will change what they think they are capable of achieving. And honestly, it’s not just about cricket. It’s about pride, it’s about identity, it’s about showing the world that Jammu & Kashmir can indeed rise and shine in whatever they do.
February 28, 2026, is now a historic day for us. It is a day when the valley celebrated as one, when our players became our heroes, when hope became a reality. This Ranji trophy is not just a trophy; it is a symbol that perseverance, team spirit, and courage can turn our dreams into a reality. And I am feeling proud, emotional, and highly inspired by our achievement, as it is the achievement of each and every person from Jammu and Kashmir.

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