Jay Shah Honors Jammu & Kashmir Team After Historic Ranji Trophy Title

NEW DELHI, March 5, 2026 — International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah hosted the Jammu & Kashmir cricket team today to celebrate their monumental maiden Ranji Trophy victory.

The meeting followed J&K’s historic win over eight-time champions Karnataka at the Hubli Cricket Ground on February 28, a triumph that has sent ripples through the Indian domestic circuit.

During the interaction, the players expressed their gratitude to Shah, specifically citing his influential role as the former BCCI Secretary in developing cricket infrastructure and talent pathways within the union territory.

Shah, in turn, offered words of encouragement, praising the squad for their resilience and the “proud milestone” they have established for the region’s sporting history.The BCCI took to social media to document the event, highlighting the players’ “heartfelt desire” to share their success with the ICC Chair.

The board’s official statement lauded the team for scripting a remarkable new chapter in Indian cricket while thanking Shah for his continued mentorship.

This win marks the culmination of a transformative era for J&K cricket, moving from a developing side to national champions by dethroning one of the most successful powerhouse teams in the tournament’s history.

Jammu & Kashmir secured the 2025–26 title through a dominant performance characterized by a massive first-innings lead. After posting a formidable total of 584, they dismantled the Karnataka batting lineup for 293, establishing a decisive 291-run advantage.

The team’s dominance was further cemented in the second innings as opener Qamran Iqbal struck a marathon unbeaten 160, sharing a century stand with Sahil Lotra before declaring at 342/4.

Though the match officially ended in a draw, the title was awarded to J&K based on their first-innings superiority, marking a historic shift in the hierarchy of the Ranji Trophy.