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Ranji Trophy final highlights: Jammu and Kashmir clinch maiden title after draw with Karnataka

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Ranaji Trophy

Jammu and Kashmir scripted history on Saturday by winning their first-ever Ranji Trophy title, edging past eight-time champions Karnataka on the basis of a massive first innings lead in the 2025-26 final at the KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground.

The summit clash ended in a draw on Day 5, but J&K’s dominance with the bat in the first innings proved decisive as they lifted the trophy for the first time since making their Ranji debut in the 1959-60 season.

Karnataka were bowled out for 293 in their first innings in response to J&K’s imposing 584. In their second innings, J&K declared at 342/4, effectively shutting the door on any slim hopes for Karnataka and sealing the title via the first innings advantage.

Batting depth powers J&K to commanding position

Shubham Pundir set the tone with a crucial 121 in the first innings, guiding J&K to a formidable total of 584. His effort earned him the Player of the Match award.

Sahil Lotra delivered an all-round performance with the bat, scoring 72 in the first innings and following it up with an unbeaten century in the second innings — his maiden first-class hundred. Qamran Iqbal also played a standout knock, smashing 160 in the second innings to stretch the lead beyond Karnataka’s reach.

Captain Paras Dogra, Abdul Samad, Yawer Hassan and Kanhaiya Wadhawan contributed valuable half-centuries, underlining the team’s collective batting strength.

By Lunch on Day 5, J&K had extended their lead to 576 runs, and eventually crossed the 600-run mark before Dogra declared the innings at 342/4 in 113 overs.

Bowlers back up batting brilliance

With the ball, pace spearhead Auqib Nabi once again led from the front, claiming a five-wicket haul in the final. He finished the season with 60 wickets in 10 matches at an impressive average of 12.56, including seven five-wicket hauls, and was named Player of the Series.

Sunil Kumar and Yudhvir Singh picked up two wickets each in the final, while Abid Mushtaq maintained tight lines to support the attack.

A landmark moment for Jammu and Kashmir cricket

This triumph marks the end of a 67-year wait for Jammu and Kashmir, who had long struggled in India’s premier domestic competition. Their maiden Ranji Trophy title represents a significant milestone and signals their emergence as a competitive force in domestic cricket.

As celebrations unfolded in Hubli, J&K players lifted the trophy to cap off a season that will be remembered as a breakthrough campaign in the state’s cricketing history.

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Asian Games 2026 Day 4: Mirabai Chanu silver leads India’s medal haul

India ended Day 4 of the Asian Games 2026 with 12 medals. Mirabai Chanu’s silver in women’s 49kg weightlifting was among the day’s major highlights.

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Mirabai Chanu

India continued its medal-winning campaign at the Asian Games 2026 on Wednesday, September 23, with a strong showing across shooting, weightlifting, soft tennis, badminton and wushu.

The highlight of Day 4 was Mirabai Chanu’s silver medal in the women’s 49kg weightlifting event. The medal was Chanu’s first at the Asian Games and ended India’s 28-year wait for a weightlifting medal at the continental event.

India also secured bronze medals in the men’s and women’s team skeet events and another bronze through Jay Meena in men’s singles soft tennis. The Indian men’s badminton team also secured a bronze medal after reaching the semi-finals.

By the end of Day 4, India’s tally stood at 12 medals — one gold, five silver and six bronze. India was placed 13th in the overall medal standings.

Mirabai Chanu wins historic Asian Games silver

Mirabai Chanu produced one of India’s biggest moments of the day by winning silver in the women’s 49kg weightlifting competition.

The medal was Chanu’s first-ever at the Asian Games. Her performance also brought India its first weightlifting medal at the Games since Karnam Malleswari won silver at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games.

North Korea’s Ri Song Gum won the gold after successfully lifting 121kg in the clean and jerk, setting a new Asian Games record in the process.

Chanu’s silver added another medal to India’s growing tally on Day 4.

India wins two bronze medals in skeet shooting

India added two bronze medals in shooting through the men’s and women’s team skeet events.

In the men’s competition, Anantjeet Singh Naruka also reached the individual final, although India missed out on a medal in that individual event.

The women’s shooting team also narrowly missed a medal in the 10m air pistol team event. India finished level with Vietnam on the overall score, but Vietnam took the bronze on the inner-10 countback.

Manu Bhaker qualified for the women’s 10m air pistol final, while India missed out on a team medal in the event.

Jay Meena creates history in soft tennis

Jay Meena won a bronze medal in men’s singles soft tennis, giving India its first-ever Asian Games medal in the sport.

Meena reached the semi-finals but was dealing with an injury during the knockout stage. His bronze added to India’s medal tally on Day 4.

Indian men’s badminton team secures bronze

India’s men’s badminton team ended its Asian Games campaign with a bronze medal after reaching the semi-finals.

The team faced China in the semi-final. India’s campaign therefore ended with a podium finish despite the loss at the final stage.

Roshibina Devi assures India another medal

India was also guaranteed another medal in wushu after Naorem Roshibina Devi advanced to the women’s 60kg final.

Roshibina defeated Indonesia’s Thania Kusumaningtyas 10-0 in the semi-final to book her place in the final. Her progress guaranteed India at least a silver medal in the event.

India women’s hockey team records big win

The Indian women’s hockey team also registered a commanding victory on Day 4, defeating Thailand 20-1.

The result was among India’s notable performances across team sports during the day’s competition.

Asian Games 2026 India medal tally after Day 4

India finished Day 4 with 12 medals:

MedalCount
Gold1
Silver5
Bronze6
Total12

India’s only gold so far has come from the women’s cricket team. Shooting has contributed seven medals, while weightlifting and soft tennis have also added to the country’s tally.

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Asian Games 2026: India win first gold as women’s cricket team beats Sri Lanka

India won its first gold medal at the Asian Games 2026 after the women’s cricket team defeated Sri Lanka in the T20I final, taking the country’s medal tally to seven.

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India opened its gold medal account at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya after the women’s cricket team defeated Sri Lanka in the T20I final on Tuesday.

The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side produced a dominant performance to win the final and claim India’s first gold medal of the Games. India set Sri Lanka a target of 217 runs before bowling them out for 69.

The victory took India’s medal tally to seven, adding a gold to the six medals secured during the opening days of the competition.

India assure another medal in badminton

India also secured another medal opportunity in men’s team badminton after defeating hosts Japan 3-0 in the quarter-final.

Ayush Shetty completed the victory by beating Japan’s Koki Watanabe 21-10, 21-19, sending India into the semifinals and assuring the country of at least a medal in the event.

Earlier, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeated Japan’s Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi to give India a 2-0 lead in the tie.

Roshibina Devi assures India another medal

India also secured a medal in wushu after Roshibina Devi reached the women’s 60kg semi-finals.

Roshibina defeated Macao’s Man Sin Chu by point difference to book her place in the last four.

However, India’s Aryan was knocked out in the men’s 56kg quarter-final after losing to Uzbekistan’s Saydullo Abdurashitov.

India miss shooting medal

India’s Elavenil Valarivan and Parth Mane finished fourth in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team final after earlier qualifying second for the gold medal match.

The pair therefore missed out on a podium finish in the event.

More results from Day 3

Indian boxer Jadumani Singh advanced to the men’s 55kg Round of 16 after defeating Nepal’s Chandra Bahadur Thapa 5-0.

In artistic gymnastics, Pranati Nayak qualified for the women’s vault final with a score of 12.916.

India’s women’s badminton team, meanwhile, exited the competition after losing 1-3 to hosts Japan in the quarter-finals.

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Zaheer Khan named CSK head coach ahead of IPL 2027

Chennai Super Kings have appointed former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan as their new head coach ahead of IPL 2027, replacing Stephen Fleming.

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Chennai Super Kings have appointed former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan as their new head coach ahead of the 2027 Indian Premier League season. The five-time IPL champions announced the appointment on Monday, with Zaheer taking over from long-serving coach Stephen Fleming.

Fleming stepped down from his CSK role in July and subsequently took charge as head coach of the England men’s Test team. Zaheer’s appointment marks his first stint as a head coach at any level.

CSK announced the move on social media with the message welcoming Zaheer as the team’s new head coach.

Zaheer Khan’s coaching experience

Zaheer has previously held senior coaching and mentoring roles in the IPL. He served as Mumbai Indians’ Director of Cricket from 2018 to 2022 before taking up a mentoring role with Lucknow Super Giants from August 2024 to September 2025.

He was also initially named India’s bowling coach in 2017 after Anil Kumble became head coach. Following Ravi Shastri’s appointment later that year, Zaheer’s role was changed to bowling consultant.

As a player, Zaheer represented India in 92 Tests, 200 ODIs and 17 T20Is. He was India’s leading wicket-taker in the 2011 ODI World Cup, taking 21 wickets during the tournament.

Stephen Fleming’s CSK exit

Fleming had two coaching stints with Chennai Super Kings, from 2009 to 2015 and again from 2018 to 2026. He left the franchise in July this year to become England’s men’s Test coach, succeeding former New Zealand teammate Brendon McCullum.

Zaheer will now oversee CSK as the franchise prepares for IPL 2027. The appointment brings an Indian former international cricketer into the team’s head coaching role following Fleming’s departure.

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