Former India captain Sourav Ganguly heaped praise on the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team for their historic performance in their maiden Ranji Trophy final against the Karnataka cricket team, while also backing pacer Auqib Nabi for a future call-up to the Indian national team. Nabi has been one of the standout performers of the domestic season, and he once again delivered on the biggest stage.

The right-arm pacer claimed five wickets for 54 runs in the first innings of the final, taking his tally to an impressive 60 wickets in the ongoing Ranji Trophy campaign. His fiery spell played a major role in dismantling Karnataka for 293 in 93.3 overs after Jammu and Kashmir had posted a commanding first-innings total of 584 in Hubballi. Impressed by the effort and resilience shown by the side, Ganguly took to social media to congratulate the team and highlight Nabi’s rise.

“J&K has shown the world what effort and intent can do. They have made that region so proud of them. Tough environment makes tough people,” Sourav Ganguly wrote.

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“Auqib Nabi on his way to national colours. England is the place to start in the summer,” he added, tagging the Board of Control for Cricket in India and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

J&K has shown the world what effort and intent can do ..They have made that region so proud of them .. tuff environment makes tuff people. Aqib nabi on his way to national colours .. england is the place to start in the summer @bcci @imAagarkar @lonsaikia

— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) February 27, 2026

Meanwhile, the final continued to produce dramatic moments. After taking a massive 291-run lead in the first innings, Jammu and Kashmir faced early trouble in their second innings as Karnataka struck twice before lunch on Day 4. Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna removed Yawer Hassan early, while first-innings centurion Shubham Pundir fell cheaply to Vijaykumar Vyshak, leaving J&K struggling at 11 for 2.

Earlier in the day, Karnataka had resumed their innings with hope, largely due to a brilliant effort from captain Mayank Agarwal. The experienced batter fought hard with a superb 160 off 266 balls, striking 21 boundaries and trying to keep his team in the contest.

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However, wickets kept falling at the other end as J&K bowlers maintained relentless pressure. Spinners and pacers combined effectively before Nabi returned to trap Agarwal with a well-directed delivery, completing his five-wicket haul. The innings eventually ended at 293 after the final wicket fell to Yudhvir Singh.

With such consistent performances across challenging conditions throughout the season, Auqib Nabi has firmly pushed his case for higher honours, and many believe his journey toward the Indian team may not be far away.