The 2025–26 Ranji Trophy final turned into a fairytale moment for Jammu and Kashmir, as the team tightened its grip on the title against Karnataka at Hubli. By the fifth day, Jammu and Kashmir had completely dominated the match, extending their second-innings lead beyond 550 runs.

Kamran Iqbal’s Incredible Journey to a Final-Day Century

The standout story of the final belongs to opener Kamran Iqbal, whose path to the XI was nothing short of dramatic. Kamran was drafted into the squad at the last moment after regular opener Shubham Khajuria was ruled out with an injury.

What followed was a grueling journey—Kamran boarded a flight from Delhi at 11:30 pm, landed in Mumbai at 1:55 am, waited nearly four hours, and then took another flight to Hubli at 6:15 am. After traveling for almost 9 hours across two flights, he reached the ground just 30 minutes before the toss.

Despite failing to make an impact in the first innings, Kamran made the opportunity count when it mattered most. On the final day, he played a superb knock, bringing up his century in 189 balls. This was only the second first-class hundred of his career, but it came on the biggest stage and under extraordinary circumstances.

Jammu and Kashmir in Firm Control

Earlier in the match, Jammu and Kashmir posted a massive 584 runs in their first innings. Karnataka were bundled out for 293, with Aaqib Nabi starring with a five-wicket haul, giving J&K a commanding 291-run first-innings lead.

Although the match is heading toward a draw, Ranji Trophy rules state that the team with the first-innings lead is declared the winner. That rule firmly places Jammu and Kashmir on course for their maiden Ranji Trophy title, with Kamran Iqbal’s unforgettable century standing out as one of the defining moments of the final.