Karnataka Enters Ranji Final After 11 Years, J&K Eyes Historic Maiden Title

Karnataka stormed into the Ranji Trophy 2025–26 final after an 11-year wait, advancing on the strength of a commanding first-innings lead in their drawn semifinal against Uttarakhand. Resuming the final day at 299 for six, Karnataka were bowled out for 323, but their towering first-innings total built on a monumental effort led by Devdutt Padikkal’s double century and strong middle-order support had already created an insurmountable advantage. Uttarakhand responded with grit, as Avneesh Sudha (66) , Sachin Rawat (53)*, and Abhay Negi (57) defied Karnataka’s push for an outright win. Negi and Rawat’s resilient 104-run seventh-wicket partnership* helped the side reach 260 for six before both captains agreed to a draw shortly after tea, confirming Karnataka’s passage to the final with an overall lead exceeding 800 runs.

Karnataka’s route to the summit clash underscores a return to their traditional strengths batting depth, disciplined seam bowling, and knockout composure . Contributions from experienced internationals such as KL Rahul and the stability provided by senior campaigners have reinforced a squad blending youth with big-match experience. The team will now chase its ninth Ranji Trophy title , having last lifted the trophy in the 2014–15 season under R. Vinay Kumar , when Karnataka completed a rare era of dominance by sweeping the Ranji, Irani, and Vijay Hazare trophies in successive seasons. From that golden generation, Rahul, Karun Nair, Mayank Agarwal, and Shreyas Gopal remain key links to the past.

The final will be played in Hubballi from February 24 , with the venue chosen to expand the game’s reach beyond metropolitan centres and to accommodate infrastructure upgrades at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Karnataka will face a spirited Jammu & Kashmir side scripting one of the most remarkable stories of the season. J&K have reached the Ranji final for the first time in nearly seven decades, riding on disciplined bowling, improved grassroots development, and the blend of youthful energy with veteran guidance. The presence of stalwarts like Paras Dogra , who recently crossed the landmark of 10,000 Ranji runs, highlights the experience anchoring their historic campaign.

The title clash promises a compelling contrast: a domestic powerhouse seeking renewed supremacy against an underdog chasing a maiden crown and a symbolic sporting milestone . For Karnataka, victory would reaffirm their legacy among India’s most successful domestic teams. For Jammu & Kashmir, lifting the trophy would represent not just a cricketing triumph but a transformative moment for the region’s sporting aspirations.