New Delhi, February 28, 2026 : The Indian cricketing fraternity united in praise as the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team lifted their maiden Ranji Trophy title.
“Ignite Belief” — Jay Shah
ICC Chairman Jay Shah termed the victory a remarkable story of grit and perseverance.
“While the players deserve the applause, the contribution of coaches, management and administrators must also be remembered,” he wrote on X, adding that the triumph will “ignite belief” in the current generation and inspire the next to take up the sport.
Ashwin: A Testament to Preparation
India off-spin great Ravichandran Ashwin said J&K’s win underlined how well Ranji teams are preparing in recent seasons.
He pointed out that in the last decade teams like Saurashtra, Vidarbha, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat — and now J&K — have shown unified intent, paving the way for players to graduate to the national side. He called the triumph a “massive achievement” and a reminder that unity and clear goals can elevate domestic teams to national prominence.
Harbhajan & Irfan Applaud the Spirit
Spin legend Harbhajan Singh said winning the Ranji Trophy isn’t easy and praised J&K for playing like a unit throughout the season.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan congratulated the side for scripting history, saying he had no doubt they would achieve this milestone.
BCCI: Cricket Flourishing Nationwide
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia described the win as proof that cricket continues to thrive across India despite challenging conditions, crediting structured efforts and long-term vision for the breakthrough success.
J&K’s landmark triumph — secured after a dominant first-innings lead over Karnataka in Hubballi — is being hailed as a watershed moment, not just for the region but for Indian domestic cricket as a whole.
