Jammu & Kashmir's run to the Ranji Trophy final represents one of the most significant breakthroughs in Indian domestic cricket. From a side that had never crossed the quarter-final barrier in any of their previous three appearances, to standing on the cusp of becoming the first team from India's Himalayan region to lift the Ranji Trophy, the 2025–26 season has witnessed a fairytale run by the Paras Dogra-led side.
While J&K's historic surge has been a team effort, it has still been driven by a defined core. A record-setting spearhead, a reimagined middle-order anchor, a 10,000-run veteran, and a homegrown pace partnership have collectively altered J&K's competitive identity.
These are the five cricketers who have shaped the campaign.
1) Auqib Nabi: The Spearhead
The undisputed star for J&K of the 2025-26 domestic season. The seamer from Baramulla has been the most lethal bowler in the Ranji Trophy this year, leading the wicket-taking charts with 60 wickets (and counting).
Nabi grabbed a fifer in the quarterfinals, the semifinals and repeated the feat in the final against Karnataka, where he accounted for Test stars KL Rahul, Karun Nair and Mayank Agarwal. Nabi also sent back the season's leading run-scorer Ravichandran Smaran (950) back for a ‘Golden Duck' en route to his seventh five-wicket-haul of the season.
Nabi's haul of 60* wickets puts him on a rare list, making him only the third seamer in Ranji Trophy history after Jaydev Unadkat (67 for Saurashtra in 2019-20) and Dodda Ganesh (62 for Karnataka in 1998-99), to pick at least 60 wickets in a season.
His exploits have led to widespread calls for his inclusion into the Indian squad and if he replicates this form in the upcoming IPL for Delhi Capitals, who shelled out Rs 8.40 Crore for his services, then those shouts will be hard to ignore.
Auqib Nabi.
Photo Credit: PTI
2) Abdul Samad: T20 Specialist To Test Anchor
Long known only for his exploits in the shortest format of the game, Abdul Samad has matured into a red-ball powerhouse this season. Leading the team's batting charts with over 748 runs, he has provided the middle-order solidity that J&K previously lacked.
His fearless 85-ball 82 and 30* off 27 balls, in the semi-final against a Bengal attack featuring Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep provided the base for J&K to recover and then chase down a historic win, despite a first-innings deficit.
Samad didn't completely abandon his T20 skills either, smashing 18 sixes and 81 fours this season, switching gears whenever necessary to alleviate the pressure from his teammates.
Abdul Samad.
Photo Credit: PTI
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3) Paras Dogra: The Battle-Hardened General
At 41, the veteran anchor has etched his name into the pantheon of Indian cricket legends. In the high-stakes semi-final against Bengal, Dogra became only the second player in Ranji Trophy history, joining the iconic Wasim Jaffer, to cross the monumental 10,000-run mark.
While he hasn't had a prolific season by his own standards, his efforts have seen him amass 637 runs in 16 innings at an average of 42.46, a stabilizing presence that has often saved J&K from early collapses.
His influence stretches beyond the playing field as well as J&K coach Ajay Sharma vouched in an interview with ESPNcricinfo saying, "His commitment to fitness has sparked a transformation within the group," Sharma noted. "He can compete even with the Under-19 kids, probably even beat them when it comes to fitness."
Paras Dogra.
Photo Credit: PTI
4) Yudhvir Singh Charak: The Homecoming Hero
A right-arm pacer with natural zip and pace, Yudhvir's cricketing journey has come full circle with J&K. He made his first-class debut for Hyderabad in 2019 but felt the pull of his roots, moving back to J&K in 2021. Despite being a fixture in the IPL circuit, having featured for Lucknow Super Giants and Rajasthan Royals, the confidence to be a red-ball match-winner has only taken root off late.
The turning point for Yudhvir was his Player of the Match performance in last year's historic win against Mumbai, where his seven-wicket match haul against the 42-time champions on their own home turf, proved he could dismantle the best in the business.
This season, he has transformed that potential into consistent threat, providing J&K with a lethal pace-bowling partnership alongside Auqib Nabi. Yudhvir is the team's third highest wicket-taker this season with 21 scalps from seven matches.
Yudhvir Singh.
Photo Credit: PTI
5) Sunil Kumar: The 'Talent Hunt' Success
A left-arm pacer who emerged from a local talent hunt two years ago, Sunil's story is perhaps the most romantic chapter of J&K's historic run. With no formal coaching until he turned 25, the now 28-year-old has become the "silent assassin" of the J&K attack.
Sunil sharpened his craft by watching legends like Irfan Pathan, Zaheer Khan, and Jimmy Anderson on television. This season, he has taken 31 wickets from nine games, providing the perfect support to Auqib Nabi as the second-highest wicket-taker for J&K.
In the semi-final collapse of Bengal, Sunil was unplayable, taking 4/27 in the second-innings as he combined with Auqib (4/36) to bundle out the hosts for just 99, setting the stage for that incredible comeback victory.
Sunil Kumar.
Photo Credit: PTI
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