Ranji Trophy final: J&K eye maiden title, Karnataka chase ninth crown

Sixty-seven years after making their debut in the Ranji Trophy, Jammu and Kashmir are on the brink of history, set to play their first-ever final.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

Five days now separate them from a potential maiden title when they take on a fancied eight-+ime former champions Karnataka at the KSCA Hubballi Cricket Ground from Tuesday.J&K’s campaign has been defined by resilience and belief. After starting the season with a 35-run loss to Mumbai, they havenot puta foot wrong. They stunned heavyweights suchas Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Bengal along the way. A tense 561un quarterfinal win over MadhyaPradeshandacomposed six-wicket semifinal triumph against Bengal, despite conceding afirst-innings lead, underlined their grit under pressure.

The summit clash at the KSCA Stadium presents aclassic narrative — an ambitious first-time finalist against a powerhouse accustomed to silverware. History favours Karnataka; they have won all fourprevious meetings between the sides in the Ranji Trophy,

twice by an innings.