Iltija Mufti Congratulates J&K Cricket Team in Advance Ahead of Potential Ranji Trophy Triumph

Srinagar

Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, has extended advance congratulations to the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team as it stands on the brink of winning the Ranji Trophy 2025–26 title.

Taking to social media platform X, Iltija wrote, “Advance congratulations to Jammu & Kashmir for their first magnificent Ranji Trophy victory. A special mention must go to Auqib Nabi for his outstanding performance throughout the tournament.”

Jammu and Kashmir are currently facing Karnataka cricket team in the Ranji Trophy final in Hubballi. Although the match is still underway, the team holds a commanding position and is in strong contention for the title.

Under Ranji Trophy rules, if a final ends in a draw, the team with the first-innings lead is declared the winner. Jammu and Kashmir posted a massive first-innings total of 584 runs after opting to bat first. Contributions came from Shubham Pundir (121), Yawer Hassan Khan (88), Sahil Lotra (72), Kanhaiya Wadhawan (70), captain Paras Dogra (70), and Abdul Samad (61).

Despite a fighting 160-run knock by Mayank Agarwal for Karnataka, a brilliant bowling performance by Auqib Nabi saw Karnataka bowled out for 293, giving Jammu and Kashmir a decisive 291-run first-innings lead. Nabi claimed 5 wickets for 54 runs in 23 overs.

If the match ends in a draw, Jammu and Kashmir will be declared champions based on their first-innings advantage.

This is the first time Jammu and Kashmir have reached the Ranji Trophy final. Right-arm pacer Auqib Nabi has played a crucial role in the team’s journey, delivering match-winning performances in the knockout stages. In the quarterfinal against Madhya Pradesh, he took eight wickets, and in the semifinal against Bengal, he claimed nine wickets and also scored 42 runs, earning Player of the Match honors in both games.

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