Jammu and Kashmirs Shubham Pundir and Abdul Samad run between the wickets during the first day of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 final cricket match between Karnataka and Jammu & Kashmir, at KSCA Cricket Stadium, in Hubballi, Karnataka, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (PTI Photo)
Karnataka Vs Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Score, Ranji Trophy 2026 Final Day 1: Jammu and Kashmir, playing its maiden Ranji Trophy final, are batting first after winning the toss against the 8-time champions Karnataka. J&K are looking to give their heartwarming story a fitting conclusion by going all the way to the title. But standing in front of them are a unit which consists of big names like KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Devdutt Padikkal, Shreyas Gopal and Ravichandran Smaran.
Rahul has played 3 matches and scored 457 runs while Nair has played 8 matches and scored 699 runs. Also, Padikkal is in hot form scoring 532 runs in 5 matches while Smaran has 950 runs from 8 matches. With Karnataka having taken on all comers, J&K have a tall task in hand if they are to defeat such a star-studded lineup. Karnataka’s biggest asses, however, has been allrounder Shreyas who has taken 46 wickets and scored 442 ruins.
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J&K, meanwhile, will be looking at their go to weapon Auqib Nabi who has taken 55 scalps this season. But there’s an injury scare for top order batter Shubham Khajuria and left-arm spinner Vanshraj Sharma. They, however, will have the experience of captain Paras Dogra and coach Ajay Sharma which will come in handy in a match of this proportion.
FOLLOW UPDATES FROM KARNATAKA VS JAMMU AND KASHMIR RANJI TROPHY FINAL MATCH BELOW
J&K players Yudhvir Singh, Auqib Nabi and Karnataka captain Devdutt Padikkal in picture. (Credit: Express photo by Lalith Kalidas & BCCI/X)
Ranji Trophy Final: J&K pacer Auqib Nabi’s India audition starts against Karnataka’s star-studded batting unit in title clash
In its last four seasons, the Ranji Trophy has hosted seven finalists and four different winners. The revolving door of grinding pursuits has been kinder to Karnataka this year, marking a return to the final after 11 years, and J&K reaching their first in 67 years. But with each passing season, domestic red-ball performers and a Test cap have remained far apart, particularly on the seam-bowling front. (READ MORE)
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