Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh salute Jammu and Kashmir heroes after Ranji Trophy win

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Harbhajan Singh and Sachin Tendulkar hails Jammu and Kashmir

Indian cricket fraternity, including Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh, have been showering rich praise on Jammu and Kashmir after they created history by winning their first-ever Ranji Trophy title in stunning style on Saturday (February 28) in Hubli.

Jammu and Kashmir crush Karnataka’s hopes to lift maiden Ranji Trophy title

The Jammu and Kashmir cricket team faced the eight-time champions, the Karnataka cricket team, at the KSCA Stadium in Hubli, but they never allowed Karnataka to come back into the match. They posted a massive 584 runs in the first innings and then restricted the Karnataka side to 293 runs to take a huge 291-run lead in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 final in Hubli.

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That massive lead made all the difference. In the second innings, they added 342/4 and stretched the overall lead to 633 runs on the final day. Karnataka could not take even a single wicket on Day 5. With no chance left to win, the match ended in a draw, but the title went to Jammu and Kashmir because of their massive first-innings advantage.

Qamran Iqbal, Paras Dogra and Auqib Nabi shine in the title triumph

Opener Qamran Iqbal played a superb knock of 160*. Sahil Lotra scored his maiden first-class hundred and remained unbeaten on 101. Fast bowler Auqib Nabi was outstanding, taking a stunning five-wicket haul and finishing the tournament with 60 wickets.

Captain Paras Dogra achieved a big milestone by crossing 10,000 Ranji Trophy runs. Yawer Hassan, Abdul Samad, and Kanhaiya Wadhawan also contributed important half-centuries.

Notably, Jammu and Kashmir first played the Ranji Trophy 67 years ago. They had reached the quarterfinals in the 2013-14, 2019-20, and 2024-25 seasons, but this time, they managed to lift the trophy.

Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal salute Jammu and Kashmir

After their historic triumph, Indian legends Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh praised the Jammu and Kashmir team for their fearless and united performance.

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Tendulkar posted, X: “The Kashmir willows have been a part of many champions’ kits. To see Jammu & Kashmir’s journey from being an enabler of champions to becoming champions themselves is beautiful. Built on consistency, resilience, and season-long excellence. Auqib Nabi’s impact with the ball stood out in a demanding campaign. A historic moment for the team, coaches, and support staff. Journeys like these define the beauty of domestic cricket.”

On the other hand, Harbhajan Singh posted, “Will to win—that’s what matters. What a day for Jammu & Kashmir. Well done. Simply outstanding. Winning the Ranji Trophy isn’t easy at all. They have played terrific cricket throughout the season and played like a unit. Many congratulations, and many more trophies to come. It’s great to see cricket growing in the Jammu and Kashmir region. @BCCIdomestic #RanjiTrophy #Champions #J&k”

Yuzvendra Chahal also posted a heartfelt post for the new Ranji Trophy champions. Chahal wrote on X: “An Inspiring Journey for Anyone Who Loves Red Ball Cricket. Jammu and Kashmir have not only etched their name in history but have also shown everyone what sheer grit, sweat, and hard work can truly achieve. Many congratulations to the whole squad. #ranjitrophy2026 🥳 👏”