In a remarkable achievement, Jammu and Kashmir has advanced to their first-ever Ranji Trophy final, clinching a six-wicket win against Bengal during the semifinal match of the 2025-26 season held in Kalyani on Wednesday.

Bengal's First Innings Led by Gharami

Bengal batted first after being put in by Jammu and Kashmir. Sudip Gharami delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 146 runs off 246 balls, which was pivotal for Bengal's innings. Captain Abhimanyu Easwaran contributed a steady 49 runs. For Jammu and Kashmir, Auqib Nabi excelled with the ball, taking 5 wickets for 87 runs, which limited Bengal to a total of 328.

Shami's Dominance in Bengal's Bowling Attack

The second day and the early part of the third day were dominated by Mohammed Shami, who dismantled Jammu and Kashmir's top order with his exceptional seam bowling. Despite a resilient effort from Abdul Samad (82) and Paras Dogra (58), Shami's relentless attack resulted in figures of 8 wickets for 90 runs, marking his best performance in first-class cricket. This effort gave Bengal a narrow 26-run lead, seemingly placing them in a strong position.

Bengal's Collapse in the Second Innings

However, the tide turned dramatically on Day 3 as Bengal faced a disastrous second innings. Auqib Nabi (4 wickets for 36 runs in 10 overs) and Sunil Kumar (4 wickets for 27 runs in 9.1 overs) wreaked havoc, each claiming four wickets. Bengal's batting lineup crumbled, with Gharami and opener Sudip Chatterjee both dismissed for ducks. Only Shahbaz Ahmed (24) managed to put up any resistance as Bengal was bowled out for a mere 99 runs in just 25.1 overs, setting Jammu and Kashmir a target of 126 runs.

Jammu and Kashmir's Composed Chase

In pursuit of 126 runs to secure a place in the final, Jammu and Kashmir encountered early challenges. Akash Deep quickly took two wickets, leaving them at 12 for 2 in just 3.5 overs. Nevertheless, Shubham Pundir (27) and Vanshaj Sharma (43 not out) steadied the innings, leading Jammu and Kashmir to a six-wicket victory.

Jammu and Kashmir will now face either Karnataka or Uttarakhand in the finals of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season.