Historic maiden victory sparks immense celebrations across the state.

Jammu and Kashmir carved their names into domestic cricket history this weekend by securing their first-ever J&K Ranji Trophy title. Hubballi woke up early Saturday morning to the blaring sounds of police sirens safely escorting the visiting squad from their hotel. Tight security surrounded the venue as officials, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who flew in late Friday, gathered to witness this monumental achievement. Fans continuously poured into the fortress-like KSCA Stadium, pushing the overall five-day attendance near 20,000 and creating an electric atmosphere filled with pounding drums and colorful fireworks.

Dominant Batting Display Seals Victory

Nobody expected much late drama on the fifth day, as the visiting side had already batted themselves into an unassailable position. Qamran Iqbal and Sahil Lotra utilized these pressure-free hours brilliantly, scoring magnificent, unbeaten first-class centuries. Lotra even marked his milestone with enthusiastic push-ups and thigh-slaps, drawing massive cheers from his excited teammates. Batting for nearly two full sessions without losing a single wicket, they completely shut the hosts out of the contest and ended their second innings at 342 for four declared.

Heartwarming Scenes Unfold Post Match

Captains finally shook hands just before tea, sparking wild, uncontrollable celebrations. Players sprinted onto the pitch, forming a massive huddle around Lotra. Tears of joy mixed with roaring laughter as the squad proudly waved their flag. Auqib Nabi, who claimed an astonishing 60 wickets throughout the season, was lifted onto his teammates' shoulders. He gleefully waved the match ball to acknowledge the cheering supporters, capping off an unforgettable campaign. Interestingly, this dominant outcome served as poetic payback for the hosts, who had previously inflicted similar frustration upon Uttarakhand during last week's semi-final.

Karnataka Accepts Defeat Gracefully

Knowing their fate was sealed earlier in the game, the home team patiently waited for the winners to finish their initial celebrations before offering handshakes. Fans watching these Indian domestic cricket updates witnessed a lighthearted moment earlier when KL Rahul surprisingly took up bowling duties. He nearly grabbed his first-ever wicket in first-class cricket, but Mayank Agarwal dropped a catch at slip, resulting in shared smiles instead of frustration.

Odisha cricket fans tracking these sports updates Bhubaneswar style can appreciate the sheer dominance displayed in this final match. Securing these Ranji Trophy 2026 champions honors proves that unwavering determination pays off. Despite scorching temperatures reaching 34 degrees, local spectators stayed to honor the historic cricket moments, fully acknowledging that the better team emerged victorious from start to finish.

With Agency Inputs, Cricinfo