‘Hunting Like Wolves’: Jammu & Kashmir Stun Karnataka to Win Maiden Ranji Trophy Title

Jammu & Kashmir completed a five-year journey from hopefuls to history-makers on Saturday, lifting their maiden Ranji Trophy title after defeating Karnataka in the 2025-26 final in Hubballi.

For a team that once battled for relevance in India's premier domestic tournament, the transformation has been profound. Under head coach Ajay Sharma, bowling coach Krishna Kumar, and fielding coach Dishant Yagnik, J&K evolved from participants to contenders - and now champions.

This wasn't a flash-in-the-pan run. Last season, they reached the knockouts and were edged out by Kerala on a razor-thin first-innings lead. This year, they returned stronger. Three outright wins against former champions Rajasthan, Delhi, and Hyderabad laid the foundation. Their only setback came against Mumbai. When it mattered most, they delivered against Karnataka, one of Indian domestic cricket's heavyweights.

Ajay Sharma summed up the journey best: "Look, this is not a fluke - a lot of hard work goes behind the scenes. I'm like the head of the family, and they are like my children. They trust me. This year, everyone is stepping up. There is healthy competition in the group - that's the sign of a strong team. The self-belief has come... They're hunting like a pack of wolves now."

Behind the scenes, the structure changed. Krishna Kumar pointed to professionalism: "Even a small misfield is discussed in meetings. That has made everyone responsible. We're ticking most boxes." Yagnik highlighted the cultural shift that began in 2021-22 under Mithun Manhas, alongside administrators Brigadier Anil Gupta and Sethi. The vision was clear: build a system capable of competing with - and beating - the country's best.

Fans Celebrate Jammu & Kashmir Ranji Trophy Win

This title wasn't just about one final. It was about beating established teams in their own backyard over two seasons. And that resonated deeply with fans.

Harsha Bhogle wrote: "Such a heartwarming result in the Ranji Trophy final. This is the moment Jammu & Kashmir must have dreamt of for so long. And to do it against the might of Karnataka is even more special."

Another fan praised the scale of the achievement: "Congratulations J&K on winning their maiden Ranji Trophy title that too beating a champion team like Karnataka with effortless ease. Standard of domestic cricket in India has gone to another level. Well played. Take a bow J&K."

Vikrant Gupta called it a triumph of spirit: "Jammu-Kashmir's Ranji Trophy title epitomises the underdog spirit of Indian cricket... Ghar Mein Ghuss Kar Maarte Hain (in cricketing sense). This is a special moment for Indian cricket."

One emotional tribute captured the wider sentiment: "History. Emotion. Redemption... From icy mornings and limited facilities to carrying the weight of expectations, this journey has been about resilience... Winning the Ranji Trophy isn't just a cricketing milestone. It's a statement."

And that may be the lasting image of this victory - not just a trophy lifted in Hubballi, but belief restored across an entire region.

February 28, 2026 will be remembered not merely as a final won, but as the day Jammu & Kashmir rewrote its cricketing identity.