Eleven years later…
Byline: Rakesh Ganesh
After more than a decade of waiting, Karnataka find themselves back on Indian domestic cricket’s grandest stage, and the sense of déjà vu is hard to ignore. A commanding first-innings lead against Uttarakhand, enough to seal passage despite a draw has propelled them into their first Ranji Trophy final in 11 years, setting up a tantalising showdown with Jammu and Kashmir in Hubballi from February 24.
For Karnataka, the stakes are steeped in history. A ninth title would not only end a long drought but also echo the golden 2014-15 campaign when they swept every major domestic honour in sight. Their opponents, meanwhile, arrive carrying the romance of a first final appearance in nearly six decades.
With seasoned stars like KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal lending experience and pedigree, Karnataka stand on the brink of another defining chapter. Here’s everything you need to know about the final that promises to be rich in history and high on drama.
Into the finals
History beckons once again for Karnataka. The upcoming clash will be the 91st Ranji Trophy final, and few teams carry the weight of legacy quite like them. This will be their 16th appearance in a summit clash, with eight titles already glittering in their cabinet. The last time they stood here, back in 2015, they completed a memorable triumph over Tamil Nadu under the astute leadership of R. Vinay Kumar, capping off a golden era that saw Karnataka emulate Mumbai’s rare treble of Ranji Trophy, Irani Cup, and Vijay Hazare Trophy in successive seasons.
That period was defined by dominance – Robin Uthappa’s prolific 912 runs lit up the charts, while Vinay Kumar and a young Shardul Thakur shared the spotlight with 48 wickets each. A decade on, the echoes of that era still resonate, with KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Mayank Agarwal, and Shreyas Gopal forming the bridge between past glory and present ambition.
Their march to this year’s final has been nothing short of emphatic. Karnataka piled up a colossal 736 against Uttarakhand in the Lucknow semifinal, their third-highest total in Ranji history. Only Hyderabad’s towering 944 in 1993-94 and Tamil Nadu’s 912 in 1945-46 stand above it in the record books.
Across the match, Karnataka’s batters turned the contest into a run-fest, amassing 1,059 runs in total. Yet the drama unfolded late. After Ravichandran Smaran completed his second hundred of the game and Rahul looked poised for one of his own, Karnataka’s innings folded unexpectedly from 299/6 to 323 all out, with left-arm spinner Mayank Mishra striking telling blows.
A Season to Remember
For Jammu & Kashmir, this final is more than just a match, it is a rendezvous with history. Nearly six decades after their last brush with the summit stage, they now stand on the brink of their maiden Ranji Trophy crown.
The journey to this moment has been nothing short of stirring. In Kalyani, about 50 km from Kolkata, they scripted one of the season’s most compelling turnarounds. After slipping behind on first-innings lead against Bengal, the North Zone side looked cornered. Instead, they responded with grit and collective belief.
Their bowlers produced a masterclass in control and patience, dismantling Bengal’s batting to set up a memorable six-wicket win that silenced the hosts and announced Jammu and Kashmir as genuine contenders. The grand finale will unfold in Hubballi, Karnataka, a reward for Karnataka’s superior league-stage tally. With the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium only recently receiving conditional clearance to resume hosting matches after months of inactivity, the decision to take the final to a major outstation venue also reflects KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad’s broader vision of decentralising the game.
Individually, the season has been a showcase of reinvention and arrival. Ravichandran Smaran has emerged as one of the breakout stars, blending confidence with a sound technique to produce telling contributions. KL Rahul, long regarded as the embodiment of consistency, has embraced the grind of red-ball cricket with renewed purpose, his return to the Ranji fold underscoring both humility and a burning desire to restore Karnataka’s dominance.
The only cloud on Karnataka’s horizon is Padikkal’s fitness. The skipper did not bat in the second innings of the semifinal after injuring his hand while fielding, and his recovery will be closely watched.
As the title clash approaches, Karnataka will hope their captain returns to full strength, because with history on the line, every run, every decision, and every moment will matter.
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When And Where to Watch?
Date : February 24-28
The Ranji Trophy 2025-26 final will be telecast live on the Star Sports network, while live streaming for the matches is available on the Jio Hotstar app and website.