Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir created history on Tuesday by clinching their first-ever victory over Delhi in Ranji Trophy history at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, marking a milestone moment in their domestic cricket journey.
The emphatic win — J&K’s second outright triumph of the season — propelled them to second place in Elite Group D, just behind Mumbai.
Opting to bowl first, J&K’s pace spearhead Auqib Nabi delivered a fiery spell, claiming 5 wickets for 35 runs, while Vanshaj Sharma (2/57) and Abid Mushtaq (2/30) provided crucial support. Their combined effort skittled Delhi out for 211 in the first innings.
In reply, J&K’s batting unit showed resilience despite early setbacks. Paras Dogra anchored the innings with a masterful 106, while Abdul Samad added a fluent 85. Kanhaiya Wadhawan steady 47 helped J&K post 310, earning a 99-run first-innings lead.
Delhi looked set for a comeback in their second innings, reaching 267/5 with skipper Ayush Badoni (72) and Ayush Doseja (62) leading the charge. However, their fightback collapsed dramatically — losing five wickets for just 10 runs — as Vanshaj Sharma turned the game on its head with a devastating 6/68 spell.
Chasing 169 for victory, Qamran Iqbal produced a career-best unbeaten 133, guiding J&K to 179/3 and sealing a historic win in their 43rd Ranji encounter against Delhi.
The victory not only ended Delhi’s long-standing dominance but also underscored the rising stature of Jammu and Kashmir cricket in India’s domestic circuit.
J&K will next face Hyderabad in their Round 5 fixture at the Hostel Ground, JKCA, currently standing at the top of Elite Group D with two wins and one loss
Jammu and Kashmir’s steady rise in Indian domestic cricket gathered more pace in Delhi as the side achieved a landmark — its first-ever Ranji Trophy victory over Delhi, winning by seven wickets.
Chasing 179, J&K rode on an unbeaten 133 from opener Qamran Iqbal, his career-best knock, to seal the chase with composure and control. The foundation of the victory was laid earlier by familiar heroes.
Auqib Nabi ripped through Delhi’s first innings with a fiery 5 for 35, while captain Paras Dogra’s calm 106 and Abdul Samad’s brisk 85 ensured a solid first-innings lead.
When Delhi attempted a fightback, young Vanshaj Sharma produced a telling spell of 6 for 68, dousing any hope of a turnaround.
This win marked J&K’s second outright win of the season and pushed them to second in the Elite Group D table, just behind Mumbai. The side has now beaten several heavyweight teams in recent years, including Mumbai, Baroda, Rajasthan, and Vidarbha.
Ranji Trophy: J&K script historic win over Delhi
