The Ranji Trophy final between the Karnataka cricket team and the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team produced plenty of drama, including a tense on-field moment involving KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal. Rahul was on the verge of claiming his maiden wicket in the tournament when Jammu & Kashmir batter Sahil Lotra edged a delivery towards first slip during the 83rd over of the second innings.
Agarwal, positioned at slip, reacted late as the ball came quickly toward him. The chance slipped through his hands, leaving Rahul visibly frustrated. While Agarwal responded with a smile after the drop, Rahul appeared far from amused and seemed to exchange a few heated words with his Karnataka teammate. At that point, Lotra was batting on 72 and had been steadily building a crucial innings for his side.
The dropped catch proved costly. Lotra capitalised on the reprieve and went on to score a brilliant unbeaten 101, guiding Jammu & Kashmir to a commanding position. His century, combined with an unbeaten 160 from opener Qamran Iqbal, helped the visitors reach 342/4 in their second innings and stretch their overall lead to a massive 633 runs.
ALSO READ: Jammu Kashmir CM Announces Prize Money After Historic Ranji Trophy Win
Earlier in the match, Jammu & Kashmir had laid the foundation for victory with a dominant first-innings total and a decisive 291-run lead. The final eventually ended in a draw, but the substantial first-innings advantage ensured Jammu & Kashmir lifted their maiden Ranji Trophy title in historic fashion.
Cute fight Btw Mayank & Rahul 😭
• KL Rahul was So happy that’s he is bowling
• He got a Wicket But Mayank Dropped it
• KL was standing at slip before bowling but after abusing Mayank he went on to boundary
• Mayank Shared everything to DDP & karunpic.twitter.com/8A2G8RFBQP— 𝙎. (@KLfied_) February 28, 2026
The victory marked a remarkable moment for the team, which had entered the tournament 67 years ago but had never previously reached the summit. Under the leadership of Paras Dogra, the side produced a season to remember. Dogra also crossed the 10,000-run milestone in the competition, further highlighting his influence.
WATCH – Umpire Anil Chaudhary Surprises Fans With Acting Debut In ‘Goli Toh Chalegi’ Teaser
Meanwhile, seamer Auqib Nabi Dar played a decisive role with the ball, finishing the season as one of the standout performers. Valuable contributions from players such as Shubham Pundir and Abdul Samad underlined the team’s collective effort.
When the captains finally shook hands at 2:10 pm at KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground, history had been written. Jammu & Kashmir’s triumph is more than just a title—it represents a defining moment that could inspire a new era for cricket in the region.
