Ranji Trophy action produced a memorable moment on Wednesday as KL Rahul pulled off a brilliant catch to dismiss Kanhaiya Wadhawan during the 2025–26 final between the Karnataka cricket team and the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team at the KSCA Stadium. Wadhawan had looked set for a big score and played a crucial role in a solid 110-run partnership with captain Paras Dogra for the fifth wicket.
However, Karnataka finally broke the stand when Rahul showcased sharp reflexes behind the stumps to send the wicketkeeper-batter back for a well-compiled 70 off 109 balls. At that stage, Jammu & Kashmir had reached 417/5 in their first innings.
The breakthrough came in the 131st over when left-arm spinner Shekhar Shetty delivered a fuller ball outside off stump. Wadhawan attempted to guide it past first slip from the back foot but ended up edging it towards Rahul. The Karnataka star reacted quickly, juggling the ball before completing the catch on his second attempt.
ALSO READ: Parthiv Patel Urges India To Replace Tilak Varma With Sanju Samson At No.3
Sharing the moment on social media platform X, the Board of Control for Cricket in India wrote: “Presence of mind. KL Rahul holds onto a brilliant catch.”
Presence of mind 🫡
KL Rahul holds onto a brilliant catch 👏👏
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/G0ytZLEyNB @IDFCFIRSTBank | #RanjiTrophy pic.twitter.com/WfQpyPuur7
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 25, 2026
Rahul has also been in outstanding touch with the bat throughout the season. The 33-year-old produced match-winning contributions in the knockout stages, scoring 28 and 130 against the Mumbai cricket team in the quarterfinal and 141 and 86* against the Uttarakhand cricket team in the semifinal. Across six innings this season, he has accumulated 457 runs at an impressive average of 91.40, including two centuries and two half-centuries.
Despite Rahul’s efforts, Jammu & Kashmir enjoyed a strong outing with the bat in the final. Shubham Singh Pundir led the charge with a patient 121 off 247 balls, hitting two sixes and 12 boundaries. Valuable contributions also came from Yawer Hussain (88 off 150) and Abdul Samad (61 off 104).
ALSO READ: Michael Vaughan Praises Mike Hesson’s Smart Use Of Babar Azam In T20 World Cup 2026
At the time of writing, Jammu & Kashmir were 469/5 after 141.4 overs, with Dogra unbeaten on 69 alongside Sahil Lotra (26). Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna has been Karnataka’s standout performer with three wickets.
Historically, Karnataka are among the giants of the Ranji Trophy, having lifted the title eight times. Only Mumbai cricket team, with a record 42 titles, stand ahead. Meanwhile, Jammu & Kashmir are chasing history as they aim to secure their maiden Ranji Trophy crown.
