Jammu and Kashmir’s journey to their maiden Ranji Trophy final has been a stirring story of resilience and belief. But standing between them and a historic title is the eight-time champion Karnataka cricket team, a seasoned powerhouse with pedigree, depth and big-match experience.

The favourites’ tag rests comfortably on Karnataka’s shoulders, not just because of their decorated history but also due to a season in which they overcame tough conditions, quality opposition and injuries to key players.

After a slow start against Saurashtra in Rajkot, where they conceded a narrow first-innings lead, Karnataka bounced back emphatically. Traditional rivals Mumbai and tricky newcomers Uttarakhand were brushed aside with confidence, underlining the growing belief within the squad.

Batting firepower

At the heart of Karnataka’s dominance has been their formidable batting unit.
KL Rahul (457 runs in 3 matches at 91.40), Karun Nair (699 runs at 63.54), Devdutt Padikkal (532 runs at 66.50) and Ravichandran Smaran (950 runs in 8 matches) have powered the team throughout the campaign.

Their consistency has helped Karnataka weather a relatively modest season from Mayank Agarwal, who stepped down from captaincy midway through the season, with Devdutt taking over the reins. The left-hander has impressed with both his batting and tactical acumen.

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However, Karnataka’s batting strength will be tested at the KSCA Stadium by a spirited Jammu and Kashmir bowling attack led by pacer Auqib Nabi. Nabi has claimed 55 wickets this season and has been the spearhead of J&K’s rise. On a surface expected to assist fast bowlers early on, he could once again play a decisive role.

It would be simplistic to view Karnataka as a batting-heavy side. Their bowling unit, led by India pacer Prasidh Krishna, offers variety and discipline. Vidwath Kaverappa, Vidyadhar Patil, Vysakh Vijaykumar, Shikhar Shetty and Mohsin Khan have delivered in different match situations. And then there is Shreyas Gopal.

The leg-spinning all-rounder has been Karnataka’s X-factor, picking up 46 wickets while scoring 442 runs at an average of 45. Time and again, Shreyas has rescued Karnataka from precarious situations, making him a pivotal figure in the title clash.

Former Karnataka skipper R Vinay Kumar summed up his impact, noting that Shreyas’ contributions with both bat and ball have strengthened the side across conditions.

Big-match pedigree vs fearless underdogs

Karnataka also boast invaluable big-match experience. Rahul, Karun, Shreyas and Mayank were part of the squad that clinched back-to-back Ranji titles in 2013-14 and 2014-15. The once-young stars are now senior figures capable of guiding the next generation through the pressures of a final.

Jammu and Kashmir, meanwhile, have carved their own fairytale run by knocking out strong sides like Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. While they lack similar title-stage exposure, they are led by experienced campaigner Paras Dogra. At 41, Dogra’s calm presence, along with head coach Ajay Sharma, will be crucial in steadying nerves as the team steps onto the biggest stage in its history.

For J&K, lifting the trophy would require a monumental effort. For Karnataka, it is an opportunity to reaffirm their dominance and chase a ninth Ranji crown.

Play begins at 9:30 am.