In a historic Ranji Trophy 2025–26 quarterfinal at Holkar Stadium, Indore, the Jammu & Kashmir secured a memorable 56-run victory over Madhya Pradesh to seal their first-ever semifinal berth in India’s premier domestic first-class tournament.
Batting first, Jammu & Kashmir posted 194 runs in their first innings, with their batting effort fully tested by the home side’s disciplined bowling attack. Madhya Pradesh replied with 152, giving J&K a modest lead. In the second innings, J&K rallied to 248 runs, led by Vanshaj Sharma’s 54 and Abid Mushtaq’s 41*, helping set a target of 291 for the visitors.
The star of the match was Auqib Nabi, whose sensational bowling performance earned him Player of the Match honours. Nabi finished with 12 wickets in the match, including a match-defining 7/40 in the first innings and 5 in the second innings, consistently troubling the Madhya Pradesh batters with movement and accuracy.
Chasing 291, Madhya Pradesh managed 234 all-out, despite a fighting effort from Saransh Jain and others. J&K’s bowling unit, spearheaded by Nabi and supported by disciplined fielding, ensured crucial breakthroughs at key junctures.
Following the historic victory, Omar Abdullah congratulated the team through his official X (formerly Twitter) post, praising the players for their determination, discipline, and exceptional performance. He termed the win a proud moment for Jammu & Kashmir and wished the team success for the semifinals.
The victory has sparked celebrations across the Union Territory, with fans and former cricketers hailing it as a landmark achievement for J&K cricket.
