First-time semifinalists Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand will aim to extend their remarkable campaigns as they face traditional powerhouses Bengal and Karnataka respectively in the Ranji Trophy semifinals beginning Sunday.
Jammu & Kashmir vs Bengal: A Date with History
Jammu and Kashmir scripted history by reaching their maiden Ranji Trophy semifinal with a 56-run victory over Madhya Pradesh in Indore. The achievement marks their deepest run in the tournament since their debut in the 1959–60 season.
Seamer Auqib Nabi emerged as the architect of the historic win, returning match figures of 12 for 110. Nabi has enjoyed a prolific season, claiming 46 wickets so far and leading a disciplined bowling unit. Left-arm seamer Sunil Kumar has provided valuable support with 22 wickets.
In the batting department, Abdul Samad has led from the front with 543 runs this season, while experienced skipper Paras Dogra has contributed 484 runs, often anchoring the innings under pressure.
Jammu and Kashmir now face a formidable Bengal side that boasts strength in both batting and bowling.
Sudip Kumar Gharami powered Bengal into the semifinals with a monumental 299 in the quarterfinal against Andhra at Kalyani, setting up an innings-and-90-run victory. Gharami has accumulated 651 runs this season, while Sumanta Gupta (506), Anustup Majumdar (367) and Abhimanyu Easwaran (373) have added solidity to the top order.
Bengal’s bowling attack has been equally impressive. Shahbaz Ahmed leads the side’s wicket tally with 39 scalps. The pace unit features India internationals Mohammed Shami (28 wickets) and Akash Deep (19), alongside Mukesh Kumar, who claimed five wickets in the quarterfinal. SS Jaiswal has also contributed 20 wickets this season.
Bengal will enjoy home advantage as the match will be played at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani.
Uttarakhand vs Karnataka: Clash of Momentum and Legacy
In the other semifinal at Lucknow’s Ekana Cricket Stadium, Uttarakhand will take on eight-time champions Karnataka.
Uttarakhand secured their place in the last four with a commanding innings-and-six-run win over Jharkhand in Jamshedpur, continuing their rapid rise in domestic cricket. Spinner Mayank Mishra starred with an eight-wicket match haul, including 5 for 22 in the second innings, and currently leads the tournament’s wicket charts with 52 wickets.
Karnataka, meanwhile, advanced after registering a four-wicket victory over Mumbai, the most successful team in Ranji Trophy history with 42 titles.
With history on the line for Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand, and legacy at stake for Bengal and Karnataka, the semifinals promise high-intensity battles as teams vie for a place in the prestigious Ranji Trophy final.
