New Delhi, March 5, 2026 : Jay Shah met members of the Jammu & Kashmir cricket team following their historic victory in the Ranji Trophy 2025–26, where they defeated eight-time champions Karnataka cricket team at the Hubli Cricket Ground on February 28 to clinch their maiden Ranji Trophy title.
After scripting history, the J&K players expressed a desire to meet Jay Shah to share the special moment and acknowledge the role his leadership played in strengthening cricket infrastructure and development in the region during his tenure as secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The ICC chairman fulfilled their wish and met the victorious squad, offering words of encouragement as the team celebrated its remarkable achievement. Sharing photographs of the interaction on social media, the BCCI described the triumph as a proud milestone for cricket in Jammu & Kashmir.
“The historic triumph of Jammu & Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy will remain a proud milestone for cricket in the region,” the board wrote while congratulating the players and the cricket fraternity for scripting a new chapter in Indian domestic cricket. The board also thanked Jay Shah for taking time to meet the team and motivate the players.
Jammu & Kashmir secured the prestigious title with a dominant performance in the final. Batting first, the team posted a massive 584 runs in their first innings, putting Karnataka under pressure. The bowlers then bundled out Karnataka for 293, giving J&K a commanding 291-run first-innings lead.
The team further consolidated its position in the second innings, declaring at 342/4, powered by an unbeaten 160 from opener Qamran Iqbal. He shared an unbroken century partnership with Sahil Lotra, ensuring J&K maintained complete control of the match.
Although the final ended in a draw, Jammu & Kashmir were crowned champions on the basis of their huge first-innings lead—marking the first Ranji Trophy title in the history of the team and a proud moment for cricket in the region.
