In a historic feat that has sent ripples through Indias Domestic Set Up, Jammu and Kashmir have marched into the Ranji Trophy semi-finals for the first time in their 55-year history.
Their 56-run victory over former champions Madhya Pradesh at the Holkar Stadium in Indore isn’t just a win, it’s a testament to the grit, resilience, and rising power of J&K cricket.
Entering the quarter-final as the underdogs against a formidable Madhya Pradesh side, J&K faced a steep mountain. The match was a rollercoaster of nerves, with the momentum swinging like the Indore breeze.
After being sent in to bat, J&K struggled against the pace of Kuldeep Sen. However, opener Shubham Khajuria displayed immense character, anchoring the innings with a gritty 60. When the tail was exposed, Yudhvir Singh provided a crucial spark with a quickfire 41, pushing the total to 194.Then came the ‘Auqib Nabi Show’ for the umpteenth time The pacer produced a spell for the ages, tearing through the MP batting order with figures of 7/40. His relentless accuracy skittled the hosts for just 152, handing J&K a vital 42-run lead.
The second innings looked grim for J&K as they slumped to 147/8. It seemed the dream was slipping away. But then, the defiant lower order decided to rewrite the script. Vanshaj Sharma Played the innings of his life, staying unbeaten on 54, Abid Mushtaq Contributed a vital 41 to steady the ship, Sunil Kumar Joined Vanshaj for a heroic 65-run last wicket stand that frustrated the MP bowlers for nearly 30 overs.
On their Back J&K set a daunting target of 291 runs. When the Chase Came the Madhya Pradesh were met with a bowling unit that smelled blood. Auqib Nabi was again the architect of destruction, finishing with a 12-wicket match haul (5/70 in the second innings). He was brilliantly supported by Abid Mushtaq, who claimed 3/49 and took a spectacular diving return catch to dismiss Harsh Gawali.
When the final wicket fell, the J&K dugout erupted. They hadn’t just won a match they had broken a half-century-old barrier.
Beyond the scoreboard, this campaign is a collection of historic firsts and individual masterclasses that have redefined Jammu and Kashmir’s standing in the Indian domestic cricket. J&K’s performance is no longer a fluke it’s a revolution. They have transitioned from participants to title contenders, proving that with the right mix of local grit and experienced leadership, any giant can be toppled.
Anil Gupta at the post match pep talk said that This is for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We believed we could compete with the best, and today we proved it.
