Jammu & Kashmir scripted history on the fourth morning of their Ranji Trophy semifinal, sealing a landmark six-wicket win over Bengal to book a maiden berth in the summit clash of India’s premier domestic competition. It was a performance built on discipline, resilience and a fiery pace attack that refused to relent, marking a watershed moment for cricket in the Union Territory.
Resuming the day at 43/2 and needing just 83 more runs to complete the chase, Jammu & Kashmir showed composure under pressure. The foundation for this famous victory, however, had been laid much earlier — by the relentless spells of Auqib Nabi Dar and Sunil Kumar, whose combined efforts dismantled Bengal’s batting in the second innings.
After posting 328 in their first innings, Bengal were bowled out for just 99 in their second, undone by sharp seam movement and sustained pressure. Auqib Nabi Dar returned match figures of nine wickets, while Sunil Kumar claimed seven in the game, including a crucial 4/27 in the second innings. Their collective dominance tilted the contest decisively in Jammu & Kashmir’s favour and left Bengal with a target that always looked vulnerable.
Despite losing overnight batter Shubham Pundir and skipper Paras Dogra early on Day 4, Jammu & Kashmir did not panic. Instead, Vanshaj Sharma and Abdul Samad stitched together a brisk partnership that snuffed out any hopes of a Bengal comeback. Samad played with positive intent, finishing unbeaten on 30 off just 27 deliveries, peppering the boundary with one four and three towering sixes. Sharma, equally assured, remained not out on 43 as the team crossed the finish line at 126/4.
The six-wicket victory not only secured Jammu & Kashmir’s place in the final for the first time in their history but also underscored their growth as a competitive unit in the domestic circuit. For a team that has often operated under the radar, this campaign represents a coming-of-age moment.
Brief Scores:
Bengal 328 & 99 (Shahbaz Ahmed 24; Sunil Kumar 4-27, Auqib Nabi Dar 4-36) lost to Jammu & Kashmir 302 & 126/4 (Vanshaj Sharma 43*, Abdul Samad 30*; Akash Deep 3-46) by 6 wickets.
Karnataka Dominate as Smaran Ravichandran Shines Again
In the other semifinal, Karnataka continued to assert their dominance over Uttarakhand, building an extraordinary 802-run lead by the end of Day 4. After amassing a colossal 736 in their first innings, Karnataka’s bowlers ensured the advantage was fully capitalized upon.
Uttarakhand began the fourth day at 149/5, already trailing by a massive margin. Vijaykumar Vyshak wasted little time in breaking through, reducing them to 162/7 with quick strikes, including the key wicket of Lakshya Raichandani, who had looked promising before being dismissed for 55. Despite a spirited counterattack from No.10 batter Aditya Rawat — who smashed an unbeaten 45 off 38 balls with nine boundaries — Uttarakhand were bundled out for 233. Vidyadhar Patil and Vyshak finished with three wickets apiece, maintaining the relentless pressure.
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Karnataka’s second innings began with a slight concern as captain Devdutt Padikkal suffered a hand injury and did not feature in the top order. However, the depth in the batting lineup ensured there was no loss of momentum. Kruthik Krishna, promoted to open, justified the move with a composed half-century. Although Shreyas Gopal and Karun Nair fell cheaply, the innings was steadied by Smaran Ravichandran and KL Rahul.
Smaran continued his rich vein of form, registering his second century of the match. His fluent 127 further buried Uttarakhand under an avalanche of runs. KL Rahul complemented him well and remained unbeaten on 70 at stumps, anchoring the innings with characteristic assurance. Late wickets from Jagadeesha Suchith, who dismissed Smaran, and Mayank Mishra, who removed Patil, provided minor relief for Uttarakhand, but the gulf between the sides remained vast.
By the close of play on Day 4, Karnataka had reached 299/6 in their second innings, extending their lead to a staggering 802 runs — a figure that effectively shut the door on any remote possibility of a turnaround.
Brief Scores:
Karnataka 736 & 299/6 (Smaran Ravichandran 127, KL Rahul 70*, Kruthik Krishna 52; Abhay Negi 2-53, Mayank Mishra 2-57) lead Uttarakhand 233 (Lakshya Raichandani 52*, Vidyadhar Patil 3-40, Vijaykumar Vyshak 3-45) by 802 runs.
As the Ranji Trophy season edges toward its grand finale, Jammu & Kashmir’s historic surge and Karnataka’s ruthless consistency have set up an exciting narrative. One team rides the wave of a dream run; the other marches forward with clinical authority. The final now promises not just a battle for silverware, but a clash of contrasting journeys in India’s most prestigious domestic tournament.