Auqib Nabi stars as Jammu and Kashmir on the cusp of Ranji Trophy Crown

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Under a baking sun at KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground, Jammu and Kashmir stand tantalizingly close to their maiden Ranji Trophy crown at the end of the 4th Day's play.

Day 4 of the Ranji Trophy Elite 2025-26 final at KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground crackled with tension as Jammu and Kashmir, chasing their first-ever title, solidified their stranglehold over Karnataka.

Jammu and Kashmir bundled out Karnataka for 293 runs on the day to secure a mammoth 291-run lead. And the Northern side has negotiated their second innings superbly, ending at 186 for 4 at the end of the day.

Qamran Iqbal emerged as the day's colossus, his unbeaten 94 a tapestry of grit and grace. Twice dropped early, the opener rebuilt brick by brick: a watchful 61-run stand with Paras Dogra (16) steadied after early jolts, followed by a fluent 73 for the fourth wicket alongside Abdul Samad's muscular 32 (70 balls, 4x4, 1x6). Sahil Lotra (16* off 41) joined the unbroken 41-run alliance, exuding calm as shadows lengthened.

Karnataka were bowled out for 293 in 93.3 overs, conceding a 291-run first-innings deficit. Mayank Agarwal anchored the innings with a defiant 160, while Kruthik Krishna contributed 36 in a 79-run stand for the sixth wicket. However, J&K's pace spearhead Auqib Nabi delivered another outstanding performance, claiming his seventh five-wicket haul of the season with figures of 5-54. Sushil Kumar (2-51) and Yudhvir Singh Charak (2-55) provided able support as Karnataka unravelled against the second new ball.

Enforcing the follow-on was not required due to the format, but J&K batted again to build an unassailable lead. Their second innings reached 186/4 in 57 overs at stumps. Opener Qamran Iqbal, with his distinctive unorthodox technique, remained unbeaten on 94, showcasing resilience and composure under pressure.

Abdul Samad chipped in with 32, while lower-order batsman Sahil Lotra was unbeaten on 16. Prasidh Krishna picked up 2-42 for Karnataka, including the wicket of Paras Dogra with a peach of a delivery that bowled him.