First Time in 57 Years! Jammu and Kashmir Create History in Ranji Trophy

Jammu and Kashmir achieved a historic breakthrough in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season by recording their very first first-class victory over Delhi. At the Arun Jaitley Stadium, which is among the smallest cricket stadiums in India, J&K secured a memorable 7-wicket win. This could be a defining moment for the state as they continue to create major upsets in domestic cricket.

The Jammu & Kashmir vs Delhi clash was especially significant given the longstanding history between the two sides. In 43 previous encounters, Delhi had largely dominated, claiming 37 wins, drawing 4 matches, and leaving one unfinished. After 57 years of trying to claim a win, Jammu & Kashmir finally overcame this formidable record.

Opting to field first, the J&K team showed disciplined bowling strategies that kept Delhi under pressure, followed by their impressive batting in the 4th innings that guided them to a historic win.

Jammu and Kashmir Creates History in Ranji Trophy

J&K's victory marked their second win of the season, showing their rise as a competitive side. In recent years, they have impressed by defeating several traditional Ranji heavyweights, including Mumbai, Baroda, Rajasthan, and Vidarbha. In the first innings, Delhi were restricted to just 211 runs, with Auqib Nabi producing a sensational performance, claiming a five-wicket haul. Abid Mushtaq and Vanshaj Sharma also contributed with two wickets, keeping Delhi under pressure.

Jammu & Kashmir put up 330 runs, with a century from captain Paras Dogra and a vital 85 from Abdul Samad. Despite Simarjeet Singh taking six wickets for Delhi, he was unable to prevent J&K from gaining a first-innings advantage.

In Delhi’s second innings, the team eventually collapsed, with Vanshaj Sharma running through the batting line-up to claim six wickets, bowling them out for 277 runs. Chasing a modest target of 179 runs, Qamran Iqbal scored an unbeaten 133 off 147 balls, guiding Jammu & Kashmir to a historic victory over Delhi.

What Happened in Jammu and Kashmir vs Delhi Ranji Trophy Match?

Jammu & Kashmir’s recent victory over Delhi marks a historic turning point for the team. This landmark win will be remembered as one of the most significant moments in the team's cricket history. Jammu and Kashmir Ranji Trophy records have further improved after this memorable victory. With this win, J&K have climbed to second place in Group D, claiming 14 points, just three behind the leaders, Mumbai. In contrast, Delhi have slipped to fifth place, managing only seven points from their four matches.

Initially, there seemed to be no real threat from the pitch, as Qamran Iqbal batted gracefully using his height and long stride to counter any movement or turn off the surface. The pitch had rough patches and footmarks on both sides, yet Delhi’s spinners, Manan Bhardwaj and Hrithik Shokeen, struggled to extract spin and were bowling a bit too quick on a turning track.

Veteran Paras Dogra, the 40-year-old skipper and former stalwart of Himachal Pradesh cricket, also delivered a key performance, scoring a crucial first-innings century. Dogra, in his 22nd first-class season and second only to Wasim Jaffer in terms of Ranji Trophy runs, has consistently proven his ability to deliver against top opposition like Mumbai and Delhi.

For Delhi, the season has been filled with concerns. Delhi retained Sarandeep Singh as head coach despite a disappointing previous season, influenced by DDCA politics, which has contributed to an unstable team selection. Skipper Ayush Badoni, one of the best batsmen in India, has shown glimpses of promise with a few half-centuries, but the team as a whole has failed to respond.

Players like Priyansh Arya were initially benched, only to be put out of position at No. 4. Following this defeat, the DDCA president Rohan Jaitley is expected to take bold actions to address these structural and performance issues.