Jammu and Kashmir created history on 18 February 2026. The team defeated Bengal by 6 wickets and reached the final of Ranji Trophy for the first time. This is a historic achievement for the team in its 67-year tournament history.
The day of February 18, 2026 was forever recorded in the cricket history of Jammu and Kashmir as the team reached its first Ranji Trophy final. Jammu and Kashmir secured their place in the final of this prestigious domestic tournament of India. They led the side to a six-wicket win over Bengal in the semi-finals of the Ranji Trophy 2025/26 season at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani on Wednesday, February 18. A day before the last day of the semi-finals, Bengal had set a target of 126 runs for Jammu and Kashmir. This team, which reached the final for the first time, achieved this target in 34.4 overs. Thanks to the unbeaten partnership of 55 runs between Vanshaj Sharma (43) and Abdul Samad (30), the team achieved this historic victory and won the match by six wickets.
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Earlier, Aaqib Nabi (4/36), Sunil Kumar (4/27), and Yudhveer Singh (2/29) had ravaged Bengal’s batting. Bengal were bowled out for just 99 runs in the second innings, giving Jammu and Kashmir a small but achievable target and setting the stage for them to reach a historic final.
After 67 years, Jammu and Kashmir nears historic victory
Jammu and Kashmir first participated in the Ranji Trophy in the 1959–60 season, 25 years after the tournament began in 1934. Before playing in the Ranji Trophy for the first time, Jammu and Kashmir had created its own formal cricket structure by forming the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA). Before getting recognition from BCCI in 1959, the team played at the local level.
The team’s journey to the top was not easy. They played several seasons in the Plate Group/Group C, where they often struggled to progress. After gradual improvement they were promoted to a higher group, where they competed against bigger teams. Jammu and Kashmir’s first major success came in the 2013–14 Ranji Trophy season, when they reached the knockouts for the first time and qualified for the quarter-finals, where they lost to Punjab.
In the 2024/25 season, the team was on the verge of qualifying for the semi-finals for the first time, but the quarter-final clash against Kerala slipped away from them. They were eliminated after losing a first innings lead in a tightly contested drawn match.
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A season after heartbreakingly missing out on a maiden Ranji Trophy semi-final appearance, Jammu and Kashmir bounced back with determination. They dominated Madhya Pradesh in the quarter-finals and Bengal in the semi-finals and ultimately sealed a historic berth in the final of the tournament, rewarding decades of hard work and dedication.
Indian cricket world praised Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir reaching the Ranji Trophy final for the first time is receiving a lot of praise and appreciation from the Indian cricket fans and fraternity. Former players and cricket experts have praised the team’s fighting spirit, talent and historic achievements.
On his He highlighted the team’s dedication, skill and their journey to inspire young cricketers, and celebrated this historic and unifying moment for cricket in the region.
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Jammu and Kashmir finished second in Group D behind the 42-time Ranji Trophy champions. The team scored 24 points with three wins, three draws and one loss and qualified for the knockout stage of the tournament. In the quarter-finals, the Shubham Khajuria-led side defeated Madhya Pradesh by 56 runs in Indore to qualify for the semi-finals for the first time.
In the end, Jammu and Kashmir did not disappoint and held their composure to complete a six-wicket win, registering a historic win and qualifying for their first Ranji Trophy final.
What does Jammu and Kashmir’s first Ranji Trophy final mean for Indian cricket?
Jammu and Kashmir qualifying for the Ranji Trophy for the first time is a moment of celebration not only for the cricket of the region but for the entire Indian cricket. This is a sign that the team has transformed from a ‘always considered underdog’ team to a competitive and fighting team, capable of challenging established teams.
Jammu and Kashmir is slowly emerging as a new power center in domestic cricket, inspiring young players and strengthening the depth of Indian cricket. Reaching the team’s maiden Ranji Trophy final has put the spotlight on the cricketers who played a major role in the success, including players like Aaqib Nabi, Abdul Samad, Vanshaj Sharma, Paras Dogra, Abid Mushtaq and Sunil Kumar. This highlights his important contribution throughout the season.
Jammu and Kashmir reaching the final has given Indian cricket a new story of emerging talent and competition. Mumbai has mostly dominated the Ranji Trophy, while Karnataka, Delhi, Baroda, Gujarat, Saurashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha have traditionally been strong contenders. In such a situation, Jammu and Kashmir reaching the final is a great change in the scenario of Indian domestic cricket.
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Since Jammu and Kashmir hails from a region where cricket infrastructure and resources are limited compared to traditional powerhouses, their journey to the Ranji Trophy final is a testament to their dedication, development of talent and the growing reach of Indian cricket beyond the traditional centres. The Shubham Khajuria-led side will now look to continue this momentum in the final as well, aiming to create another history by winning their maiden Ranji Trophy title and establishing Jammu and Kashmir as a rising force in Indian domestic cricket.