Ranji Trophy | Jammu & Kashmir meets Hyderabad in a battle of equals

Sixty-five years is a long time — long enough for certain results to remain stubbornly out of reach. Last week in Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir finally broke that pattern, sealing its first-ever Ranji Trophy win over Delhi.

The seven-wicket triumph was historic and decisive, pushing J&K to second place in the Elite Group D table, just behind Mumbai.

Come Sunday, J&K will take on Hyderabad at the JKCA Sports Hostel & Science College Ground, buoyed by the confidence of its sensational win.

Its breakthrough in Delhi was the culmination of a season that had been gathering momentum steadily. J&K opened its campaign with an outright win over Rajasthan, where the bowlers stamped their authority. Auqib Nabi’s seven-wicket haul and Sunil Kumar’s four-wicket effort dismantled Rajasthan and set a strong tone for the season.

The second-round match, against Chhattisgarh, tested its resolve. Reduced to zero for two in the first over, opener Shubham Khajuria produced a magnificent 190, supported by captain Paras Dogra’s half-century, to steer the side to a hard-earned draw and underline its ability to absorb pressure.

Then came Delhi — and history. Dogra anchored the first innings with a century, complemented by Abdul Samad’s fluent 85. The bowlers struck in tandem once more: Nabi with his second fifer (five for 35), while young spinner Vanshaj Sharma claimed six for 68.

To finish the job, opener Qamran Iqbal smashed an unbeaten 133, guiding J&K over the line.

Hyderabad, meanwhile, arrives with a solid and balanced campaign behind it. Skipper Rahul Singh’s 114 against Puducherry set the tone early, while Tanmay Agarwal, Himateja, and Rahul Radesh have provided stability in the batting unit. Its bowling group — disciplined and consistent — has kept it competitive across all three rounds.

Both sides enter Sunday’s contest with strong credentials. J&K carries form, confidence, and home advantage; Hyderabad brings depth and steadiness. A high-quality fourth-round encounter awaits in Jammu.