'Time to wear India colours': Omar Abdullah's big backing for J&K cricketers

Terming Jammu and Kashmir’s historical introduction into the Ranji Trophy last a “very large moment”, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah connected Friday said the team’s singular tally has not lone brought them to the cusp of past but besides strengthened the statement for immoderate players to gain India call-ups."It is simply a precise large infinitesimal for america to scope the last due to the fact that this is the archetypal clip J-K has reached the last of the Ranji Trophy. Many radical said that they could not spell beyond this stage. But the mode they performed successful the archetypal innings, we are expecting to triumph the trophy from here," Abdullah said connected the sidelines of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 last here.

"I deliberation it is clip our players are invited oregon asked to play for the country. One oregon 2 of them decidedly merit to deterioration the Indian colours," helium added.On the field, Jammu and Kashmir tightened their grip connected the acme clash against the Karnataka cricket team, finishing Day 4 with an imposing wide pb of 477 runs astatine the Hubli Cricket Ground successful Karnataka.Replying to J&K’s formidable first-innings full of 584, Karnataka resumed Day 4 astatine 220/5 and leaned heavy connected skipper Mayank Agarwal. The right-hander added 30 runs to his overnight 130, crafting a warring 160 disconnected 266 deliveries, laced with 21 boundaries.

However, disciplined bowling ensured wickets continued to autumn astatine the different end.

Sahil Lotra ended a captious 79-run basal by dismissing Kruthik Krishna for 36, portion Sunil Kumar removed Vidhyadhar Patil. The turning constituent came erstwhile Auquib Nabi Dar trapped Agarwal successful front, swinging the momentum decisively towards J-K. Nabi besides sent backmost Shikhar Shetty, and Yudhvir Singh Charak wrapped up the innings by removing Prasidh Krishna arsenic Karnataka were dismissed for 293 successful 93.3 overs, conceding a hefty 291-run first-innings deficit.Jammu and Kashmir’s 2nd innings began shakily with Yawer Hassan and first-innings centurion Shubham Pundir departing early. Captain Paras Dogra was bowled by Krishna aft a little stay. Abdul Samad past contributed 32 important runs and shared a steadying 73-run concern with Qamran Iqbal to rebuild the innings.By stumps connected Day 4, Iqbal remained unbeaten connected 94 disconnected 160 balls, with Sahil Lotra not retired connected 16, arsenic J-K extended their pb to 477 runs and edged person to a maiden Ranji Trophy triumph. Abdullah travelled to Karnataka connected Friday to witnesser what helium hopes volition beryllium Jammu and Kashmir lifting their first-ever Ranji Trophy rubric connected Saturday.