India, Feb. 28 -- Jammu and Kashmir inched closer to a historic first-ever Ranji Trophy title on the penultimate day of the final against eight-time champions Karnataka at the KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground, building an unassailable overall lead of 477 runs.

A disciplined bowling effort led by pacer Auqib Nabi, who claimed his seventh five-wicket haul of the season (5/54), restricted Karnataka to 293 in their first innings, granting J&K a commanding 291-run lead after their own massive 584. Qamran Iqbal remained unbeaten on 94 at stumps, nearing what would be a memorable century in the Ranji final.

Smelling victory, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also flew to Hubli on Friday to personally cheer on the team, expressing immense pride in their re...