On November 11, 2025, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium located in New Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir etched their names in history books by defeating Delhi in the Ranji Trophy for the very first time in 65 years.
This landmark victory came in the 2025-26 season and showcased how J&K’s young side combined determination, skill, and teamwork to overcome one of India’s most established domestic teams.
A Long Wait Ends
Until this match Jammu & Kashmir had never beaten Delhi in Ranji Trophy history. Across the years, Delhi, a five-time Ranji Trophy champion, has been known for producing top cricketers like Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma, and Rishabh Pant. In contrast, J&K has often been viewed as an underdog team.
But in this encounter, the tables turned. J&K dominated throughout the match, breaking the 65-year drought and registering one of their most memorable victories in domestic cricket history.
Match Summary
- Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
- Group: Elite Group D
Delhi batted first but were bowled out for just 211 runs, mainly because of Auqib Nabi’s brilliant bowling. He took five wickets with his accurate line and sharp movement, breaking Delhi’s top order and giving Jammu & Kashmir an early advantage.
In reply, Jammu & Kashmir showed brilliance while batting with great control. Veteran batter Paras Dogra was leading from the front with a very well-crafted century he scored 106 runs, on the other hand Abdul Samad made 85 runs. Their efforts powered J&K to a first-innings total of 310, giving them a vital 99-run lead.
In Delhi’s second innings, the hosts struggled once again. Young spinner Vanshaj Sharma spun a web around Delhi’s batters, claiming 6 wickets for 68 runs. Delhi could only manage 277, setting J&K a target of 179 runs to win.
Chasing the total, J&K opener Qamran Iqbal played a remarkable knock, scoring an unbeaten 133 off 147 balls. His aggressive yet controlled batting sealed a seven-wicket win for J&K, marking one of the biggest moments in their cricketing history.
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Key Performers
Qamran Iqbal – 133* (match-winning knock in the fourth innings)
Paras Dogra – 106 (anchored the first innings)
Abdul Samad – 85 (crucial partnership with Dogra in the first innings)
Auqib Nabi – 5/35 in the first innings
Vanshaj Sharma – 6/68 in the second innings, 2/57 in the first innings.
Significance of the Win
This win is about more than just points, it shows how much Jammu & Kashmir cricket has expanded. Across the last few seasons, the team has improved by being focused on young emerging talent and steady development. Defeating a strong side like Delhi proves that J&K can compete with the best in domestic cricket. It also serves as a source of inspiration for aspiring cricketers from the region, showing that talent and hard work can break barriers, no matter how long they’ve existed.
What’s Next for J&K
After this remarkable result, Jammu & Kashmir will hope to carry the same momentum forward in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season. Players such as Qamran Iqbal, Auqib Nabi, and Vanshaj Sharma have established themselves as reliable performers for the team.
Conclusion
Jammu & Kashmir’s first-ever victory over Delhi in the Ranji Trophy will be remembered as a historic milestone, not just for the team but for Indian domestic cricket as a whole. Breaking a 65-year streak against one of India’s strongest sides, J&K proved that determination, belief, and teamwork can rewrite history.
Written by Kinjal Walantra