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Srinagar
Jammu & Kashmir scripted history by defeating Bengal to enter their first-ever Ranji Trophy final, becoming the first Himalayan team to reach India’s premier domestic cricket pinnacle. The dramatic semi-final victory came on the final day at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground.
Electing to field first, J&K restricted Bengal to 328 in the opening innings, highlighted by Sudip Kumar Gharami’s gritty 146. J&K responded with 302, trailing by 26 runs despite a devastating 8/90 from Bengal’s Mohammed Shami, his career-best figures. The second innings proved decisive as J&K’s pacers unleashed havoc, with Auqib Nabi (4/36) and Sunil Kumar (4/27) dismantling Bengal for just 99, setting a victory target of 126.
Chasing on a tricky Day 4 pitch, J&K overcame early jitters at 12/2, thanks to Akash Deep’s strikes. Vanshaj Sharma’s unbeaten 43 off 84 balls anchored the chase, supported by Shubham Pundir’s 27 and captain Paras Dogra’s resolve, sealing a six-wicket win in 34.4 overs (J&K 126/4, Abdul Samad 30*). Brief scores: Bengal 328 & 99; J&K 302 & 126/4.
This triumph marks a renaissance for a region long challenged by cricketing infrastructure woes, 67 years after J&K’s Ranji debut in 1959-60, their prior best was the 2013-14 knockouts. The fast-bowling trio of Nabi, Sunil Kumar and Yudhvir Singh Charak has terrorized opponents all season. J&K now awaits the second semi-final winner, entering as sentimental favorites but backed by clinical form.
