Jammu & Kashmir takes first-innings lead vs Karnataka in Ranji Trophy final, on cusp of historic win
Jammu & Kashmir secured the crucial first-innings lead on Day Four of the Ranji Trophy final at the KSCA Rajnagar Stadium in Hubballi after bowling Karnataka out for 293.
Auqib Nabi continued his rich vein of form this season, claiming five wickets for 54 runs to dent Karnataka’s hopes of overturning J&K’s imposing 584.
The breakthrough had begun late on Day Three when Nabi sliced through the top order on a largely batting-friendly surface offering occasional seam movement. In a fiery spell spanning either side of Lunch, he removed K.L. Rahul, Karun Nair and R. Smaran to reduce the home side to 57 for four.
Karun and Smaran fell off successive deliveries, compounding Karnataka’s early wobble in response to J&K’s first-innings total.
Mayank Agarwal mounted a lone resistance with a 266-ball 160, but he too was trapped in front by Nabi as Karnataka fell short of parity.
Published on Feb 27, 2026
