HUBBALLI: As Karnataka took the field in the final session on Friday, a scene behind the spectators’ gallery at a distance mirrored their fading hopes. Smoke ballooned from burning piles of dried leaves — symbolic of how Jammu and Kashmir had steadily dried up the home side’s chances over three days before the home team’s chances went up in smoke on the penultimate day of the Ranji Trophy final.
Much like J&K, Karnataka too have scripted stirring comebacks this season and, for a brief passage of play at the KSCA Rajnagar Stadium here, they raised hopes of another revival. But those hopes were doused by opener Qamran Iqbal (94 n.o.; 160b; 11x4, 1x6), whose assured knock kept J&K in command.
After bowling Karnataka out for 293 and securing a 291-run first-innings lead, J&K chose not to enforce the follow-on and instead batted again. Karnataka’s bowlers finally showed some bite but the resurgence came three days too late. Having reduced the visitors to 11/2 inside three overs, Karnataka briefly sensed an opening.
However, J&K recovered steadily to close Day 4 at 186/4 in 57 overs, stretching their overall lead to a daunting 477 runs. Earlier,
Mayank Agarwal’s (160; 266b; 21x4) vigil was ended by Auqib Nabi.
CM Omar Abdullah arrivesJammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah arrived in Hubballi on Friday to witness his team’s historic coronation on Saturday.
Brief scores: J&K 584 & 186/7 (Q Iqbal 94*, P Krishna 2/42) vs Karnataka 293 all out (M Agarwal 160; A Nabi 5/54).
Get the latest ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 updates, including the full schedule, teams, live scores, points table, and key series stats such as top run-scorers and wicket-takers.Manuja Veerappa, Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, h...
Read MoreManuja Veerappa, Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, has dedicated over half of her 22-year journalism career to the publication. Specializing in
cricket and hockey, she has covered major sporting events including World Cups, the Commonwealth Games, and world championships in billiards and snooker.
Known for her compelling human-interest stories, she has traveled extensively across Karnataka to spotlight untold talent and their journeys. An internationally
published sportswriter and former national-level hockey player for Karnataka, Manuja is a true-blue Bengalurean who also writes on the city’s culture and life, blending deep reporting with a passion for storytelling.
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