India, Feb. 28 -- If Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) win the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy -- the team is well placed to do so -- it will go down as one of the remarkable and feel-good stories in Indian men's domestic cricket. A team pieced together against the backdrop of strife in the union territory that had never progressed past the quarter-finals in the tournament's 91-year history and in which half the players have played fewer than 21 first-class matches, against 33 for its fancied opponent, Karnataka.

This century has seen several first-time winners of the prized trophy in men's domestic cricket and while J&K's showing is a result of similar factors, it represents a whole lot more.

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