KALYANI/ANANTNAG — When Vanshaj Sharma launched India pacer Mukesh Kumar over long-on for a six to seal the semifinal, he didn’t just win a match; he validated the dreams of an entire region. Despite a legendary 8-wicket haul by Mohammed Shami for Bengal in the first innings, J&K’s collective resilience proved superior.
Pace spearhead Auqib Nabi was the architect of the win, finishing with match figures of 9/123 and scoring a vital 42. He has now taken 55 wickets this season, the second-highest in the tournament.
The Bedi & Pathan Legacy
The seeds of this success were sown years ago. Former captain Parvez Rasool credited the late Bishan Singh Bedi for instilling a “compete, don’t just participate” mindset in 2011. Later, Irfan Pathan’s tenure as player-mentor (2018-20) streamlined the team’s structure.
“I always used to say, ‘The seeds we are sowing today will one day grow into trees and bear fruit.’ Today, I see those words coming true,” Pathan told HT.
Path to the Final: The Key Performers
J&K’s balance this season has been their greatest strength, moving away from being a “bowling-only” unit.
- Auqib Nabi: The standout performer of the knockouts with 12 wickets in the QF and 9 in the SF.
- Abdul Samad: His fearless 30* off 27 balls in the chase deflated the Bengal attack.
- Paras Dogra: The 41-year-old captain, who recently crossed 10,000 Ranji runs, provided the steady veteran leadership needed in high-pressure games.
- Sunil Kumar & Vanshaj Sharma: Young talents who stepped up when the seniors were under pressure.
The Road Ahead: The Final
Jammu & Kashmir will now face domestic powerhouse Karnataka in the summit clash starting February 24, 2026. Karnataka reached the final after defeating Uttarakhand in their respective semifinal.
While infrastructure remains a challenge—J&K still operates with only two major grounds in Jammu and Srinagar—the J&K Sports Council’s development of turf wickets in districts like Anantnag and Baramulla is finally showing results on the national stage.