The Ranji Trophy Elite 2025-26 final ignited at KSCA Hubli with Jammu and Kashmir seizing the toss advantage. Captain Paras Dogra’s bat-first call sets the tone against Karnataka’s title-chasing machine in this blockbuster encounter.
Karnataka eyes title number nine, leveraging depth and pedigree. J&K counters with grit, eyeing a groundbreaking first championship that could reshape their legacy overnight.
Surface scan: Green overlay on parched base. Early assistance for pacers from moisture, later favoring tweakers with bounce and bite. Wise to build innings upfront.
Post-toss, Dogra outlined: ‘Looks dry, spin incoming. Simple approach, good form via grace. Stick to basics with needed adjustments.’
Padikkal dismissed concerns: ‘Toss irrelevant—lost three before. Keen to bowl. Final feat brilliant for newbies. No changes.’
Teams in action: Jammu & Kashmir: Kamar Iqbal, Yawar Hasan, Shubham Pundir, Paras Dogra (captain), Abdul Samad, Kanhaiya Wadhawan (wkt), Abid Mushtaq, Aquib Nabi Dar, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Sahil Lotra, Sunil Kumar.
Karnataka: KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Devdatt Padikkal (captain), Karun Nair, Smaran Ravichandran, Shreyas Gopal, Kruthik Krishna (wkt), Vidyadhar Patil, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Shikhar Shetty, Prasidh Krishna.
Featuring icons like Rahul and Nair, this five-day saga blends strategy, skill, and stamina. Victory here forges immortals—tune in as history unfolds ball by ball.