Jammu & Kashmir scripted a historic chapter in Indian domestic cricket by registering their first-ever Ranji Trophy win over Delhi, sealing the victory by 7 wickets at the Arun Jaitley Stadium during the 2025-26 season. This win is particularly significant as J&K had never defeated Delhi in their 65-year first-class cricket history and 42 previous Ranji Trophy encounters.
Key Highlights for this memorable win include:
- Delhi batted first, scoring 211 runs, with key contributions from Ayush Badoni (72), Ayush Doseja (62), and some initial stability from others, but a collapse caused by Jammu & Kashmir’s bowlers.
- Jammu & Kashmir responded strongly with 310 runs in their first innings. Captain Paras Dogra scored a commanding 106, and Abdul Samad contributed a fluent 85. Simarjeet Singh took 6 wickets for 52 runs, turning the game in J&K’s favour.
- Delhi’s second innings saw a better effort, reaching 277 runs, largely thanks to Badoni and Doseja’s half-centuries. However, a late collapse triggered by young seamer Vanshaj Sharma’s 6 wickets for 68 runs set a modest target for J&K.
- In the chase of 179, opener Qamran Iqbal played a majestic unbeaten innings of 133 runs from 147 balls, including 20 fours and three sixes, guiding J&K to victory alongside captain Paras Dogra, who stayed not out on 10.
- The team finished the chase at 179 for 3 wickets, marking Jammu & Kashmir’s first triumph over Delhi in Ranji Trophy history.
Key Performers
- Qamran Iqbal: 133* (147 balls) – masterful control and aggression in the chase
- Paras Dogra: 106 and 10* – steady leadership and crucial runs
- Abdul Samad – 85 runs in first innings
- Auqib Nabi – 5 for 35 in Delhi’s first innings, pivotal in disrupting Delhi’s batting
- Vanshaj Sharma – 6 for 68 in Delhi’s second innings, decisive in setting up the target
- Simarjeet Singh – 6 for 52 against Delhi in first innings
Significance
This historic win lifted Jammu & Kashmir to second place in Elite Group D, signaling a new era for a team often considered underdogs in Indian domestic cricket. The victory was more than just a win; it was a statement of J&K’s growing stature in the Ranji Trophy and Indian cricket overall. It ended decades of dominance by Delhi, a seven-time Ranji Trophy champion, over J&K.
Score Summary
- Delhi: 211 & 277
- Jammu & Kashmir: 310 & 179/3 (Won by 7 wickets)
This match will be remembered as a landmark achievement in Jammu & Kashmir’s cricket history, showcasing their resilience, skill, and determination to compete with traditional powerhouses on an equal footing.
