Hubballi(Karnataka), Feb. 28 -- At exactly 2.11 pm on February 28, history beckoned Jammu & Kashmir. When the captains shook hands on the final afternoon in Hubballi, it only formalised what had been inevitable for more than a day - Jammu & Kashmir, armed with a massive 291-run first-innings lead, were crowned champions of the 91st Ranji Trophy, marking a watershed moment for a region that had waited 67 years to lift Indian domestic cricket's most coveted prize.
Facing eight-time champions Karnataka in their maiden final, Jammu & Kashmir showed neither nerves nor hesitation. From the opening session of Day 1, they dictated terms with a blend of authority and composure that belied their inexperience at this stage. Shubham Pundir's historic ...