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 Ranji Trophy –  Jammu and Kashmir achieved a landmark moment in domestic cricket after defeating Madhya Pradesh by 56 runs in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal at the Holkar Stadium on Monday. The victory secured their place in the semifinals for the first time in the team’s history, marking a significant chapter in the state’s cricket journey.

A Breakthrough After Decades

The semifinal berth comes 67 years after Jammu and Kashmir made their debut in India’s premier domestic tournament. It is also their first appearance in the last four since entering the knockout stage six years ago. For a side that has steadily built its reputation in recent seasons, the win represents both persistence and progress.

Facing the 2021–22 champions Madhya Pradesh on their home turf, Jammu and Kashmir displayed composure in key moments to close out the contest. The match remained evenly poised heading into the fourth day, with the hosts needing 204 more runs and five wickets in hand.

Auqib Nabi’s Match-Winning Spell

Fast bowler Auqib Nabi emerged as the decisive figure of the encounter. He finished with remarkable match figures of 12 wickets for 110 runs, underlining his influence across both innings. On the final morning, he struck early to remove Venkatesh Iyer, denting Madhya Pradesh’s hopes of a recovery.

Saransh Jain attempted to anchor the chase with a determined 64, showing resilience under pressure. However, Nabi returned to break through once again, delivering a ball that moved sharply back in to breach Jain’s defense. His dismissal left the hosts struggling at 211 for 9.

The final wicket pair of Aryan Pandey and Kuldeep Sen added 23 valuable runs, briefly delaying the inevitable. Yudhvir Singh ultimately wrapped up proceedings by bowling Pandey, sealing a memorable triumph for the visiting side.

A Match of Shifting Momentum

Earlier in the contest, Jammu and Kashmir had been dismissed for 194 in their first innings. Madhya Pradesh appeared to have seized control before Nabi’s exceptional spell of 7 for 40 restricted them to 152, handing J&K a narrow 42-run advantage.

The second innings once again swung in favor of the hosts when Jammu and Kashmir slipped to 73 for 5. At that stage, the contest looked set to tilt decisively. However, contributions from the lower order altered the script. Abid Mushtaq compiled a crucial 41, while Vanshraj Sharma added a valuable 54, guiding the team to a competitive total of 248.

Even then, Madhya Pradesh seemed to have limited the damage at 183 for 9, eyeing a target under 250. A vital 65-run partnership for the last wicket between Sunil Kumar and Yudhvir Singh, however, stretched the lead and proved decisive. That late resistance ultimately provided the cushion Jammu and Kashmir needed to defend the total.

Key Performances and Score Summary

In the first innings, Kanhaiya Khajuria top-scored with 60 for Jammu and Kashmir, while Kuldeep Sen and Kumar Kartikeya were among the wickets for Madhya Pradesh. Nabi’s 7 for 40 ensured the visitors maintained control despite early setbacks.

In the second innings, Vanshraj remained unbeaten on 54, supported by Mushtaq’s 41. Madhya Pradesh, chasing 248, were bowled out for 234 despite Saransh’s fighting half-century. Mushtaq also contributed with the ball, claiming three wickets in the final innings.

The result not only ends Madhya Pradesh’s campaign but also signals the growing competitiveness of Jammu and Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy. Their disciplined bowling, resilient lower-order batting, and ability to respond under pressure combined to script a victory that will be remembered as a turning point in the team’s history.