Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Jammu & Kashmir demolishes Hyderabad to secure third outright win of the season
When the writing on the wall is as clear as the morning sun, a team can do little but brace for the inevitable. Once play resumed on the final morning, Jammu & Kashmir, with ruthless precision, marched towards its third outright victory of the season, demolishing Hyderabad by 281 runs in a Group D encounter at the JKCA Sports Hostel and Science College Ground in Jammu on Wednesday.
The entire final act lasted only 25 minutes and 4.5 overs.
Left-arm spinner Abid Mushtaq (seven for 68) started exactly where he had left off the previous evening. He delivered a ripper to overnight batter Aniketh Reddy — one that pitched outside leg, turned, and crashed into the middle and off stump.
Rakshann Readdi and B. Punnaiah met the same fate moments later, undone by two flatter, faster deliveries that skidded on and trapped both in front. With those strikes, the rout was complete.
The architects of the triumph — pacer Aquib Nabi, Mushtaq, and bowling coach Krishna Kumar —spoke to Sportstar immediately after the win, reflecting on the clinical performance.
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“I realised how difficult the pitch was, so I decided to use the rough patches consistently just outside the off-stump,” said Mushtaq. “Whenever I get an opportunity, I want to contribute,” added the 27-year-old.
“I just focus on bowling in good areas. That’s what Krishna Kumar sir keeps telling me, so I focus on that and keeping things simple is key,” said Nabi.
“His ability to swing the ball both ways at will is remarkable. He’s worked hard on his skill, and it shows,” said coach Krishna Kumar about Nabi.
“He’s taking five wickets almost every match. He’s constantly making his case to the selectors. I truly believe he’ll play for India very soon,” he added.
“The team atmosphere is outstanding. We all have a strong bond. If someone makes a mistake, we don’t criticise — we encourage them. That has made everyone responsible and accountable. That’s the X-factor,” Kumar concluded.
The scores:
Jammu & Kashmir — 1st innings: 170
Hyderabad — 1st innings: 121
Jammu & Kashmir — 2nd innings: 422
Hyderabad — 2st innings: Tanmay Agarwal b Lotra 47, Abhirath Reddy c Wadhwan b Mushtaq 18, Rahul Singh c Mushtaq b Lotra 30, K. Himateja lbw b Mushtaq 12, Nitish Reddy lbw b Mushtaq 0, Rahul Radesh c Wadhwan b Nabi 20, Tanay Thyagarajann lbw b Mushtaq 0, Aniketh Reddy b Mushtaq 35, Rakshann Readdi lbw b Mushtaq 12, Kartikeya Kak (not out) 5, B. Punnaiah lbw b Mushatq 4; Extras (nb-3, b-4): 7; Total (in 57.5 overs): 190
Fall of wickets: 1-58, 2-82, 3-112, 4-112, 5-114, 6-119, 7-161, 8-173, 9-186
Jammu and Kashmir bowling: Nabi 8-4-19-1, Nazir 11-4-36-0, Sunil 9-1-31-0, Mushtaq 18.5-2-68-7, Lotra 10-2-28-2, Samad 1-0-4-0
Published on Nov 19, 2025
