Historic Victory for Jammu and Kashmir at Delhi's Fortress
In a landmark achievement for domestic cricket, Jammu and Kashmir scripted history by defeating Delhi for the first time in the Ranji Trophy, securing a commanding seven-wicket victory at the iconic Feroz Shah Kotla ground. This monumental win, achieved on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, ends a 65-year wait and a winless streak spanning over 40 matches against the powerhouse from the national capital.
Qamran Iqbal's Masterclass Seals the Chase
The architect of this historic triumph was 24-year-old opener Qamran Iqbal, whose elegant and unbeaten century turned a potentially tricky run-chase into a straightforward procession. After steadying the innings during a tense final hour on Day 3, Iqbal returned on the fourth day to unleash a blistering attack, racking up runs at breakneck speed. His magnificent 133 not out from just 147 balls guided J&K to their target of 179 within the first session of the final day, sparking wild celebrations.
A Comprehensive All-Round Performance
This was far from a one-man show. J&K's victory was built on a firm all-round performance where they held the upper hand on all four days of the match. The foundation was laid by their potent bowling attack. Fast bowler Auqib Nabi, the highest wicket-taker among pacers since the start of the last season, skittled Delhi in the first innings with a five-wicket haul. The batting was equally impressive, with skipper Paras Dogra scoring a crucial century and IPL mainstay Abdul Samad contributing a quickfire score in the first innings.
The contrast between the two teams was stark. Delhi's bowling attack appeared toothless and disjointed, at one point hampered by having only one fit pacer. J&K, meanwhile, showcased their depth with both fast bowlers and spinners, like left-armer Vanshaj Sharma, coming up trumps.
Rising Status and a Winning Mindset
With this win, J&K collected six points, moving them to 14 points overall and strengthening their bid for a second consecutive quarterfinal berth. For Delhi, the defeat is a new low, leaving them languishing in sixth place in their eight-team group with a mere seven points and no wins from their first four fixtures.
J&K skipper Paras Dogra was elated, stating, "To beat Delhi in Delhi, it shows we can win everywhere... Winning is contagious. We did well last year... When you taste success, you don't let go. That mindset shift has happened."
Coach Ajay Sharma, a former Delhi batting stalwart, highlighted the team's versatility: "The one thing I'm very proud of is that no team can be confident about preparing a pitch against us. We've got the fast bowlers for a green top and we have shown we can win on turning tracks too." He acknowledged the emotional conflict of beating his former team, recalling a time when J&K players would come to Delhi just to watch them practice.
This victory, following other impressive away wins against teams like Mumbai and Baroda in the same year, signals a dramatic rise for the once-unheralded team and instills a firm belief that they can compete with and conquer the best in Indian domestic cricket.
Brief scores: Delhi 211 & 277 lost to Jammu and Kashmir 310 & 179/3 in 43.3 overs (Qamran Iqbal 133 not out; Shokeen 2/52) by seven wickets.
