Jammu and Kashmir’s first Ranji Trophy title is a historic team achievement, but the season was also defined by a set of distinctive individual campaigns. The numbers show a side that was not dependent on any one superstar or one phase of momentum. Instead, J&K were powered by a dominant strike bowler, a high-output batting core and a group of lower-order and multi-skilled contributors who repeatedly cemented their match position.
That’s what makes this title particularly compelling from a data perspective. The standout cast was spread across different roles, and their returns complemented each other. J&K had wicket-taking excellence, batting consistency, scoring depth and utility contributions, giving them balance in the long red-ball season.
Auqib Nabi was the defining force of the season
If one player stands above the rest in pure influence, it is Auqib Nabi. His return of 60 wickets in 10 matches in the season is the key stat, but the quality of those wickets is what really sets him apart. He finished with a bowling average of 12.56, an economy rate of 2.65 and a strike rate of 28.4 – a combination that reflected both control and penetration.
These are the number of title wins in any first-class season. A bowler can lead the charts through volume or efficiency. Auqib delivered both. He was not just picking up wickets in favorable spells; He was maintaining the pressure, keeping the scoring under control, and striking often enough to change the state of the match.
His Hall profile reinforces that point. Match hauls of seven five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket hauls indicate repeated match-defining interventions rather than one or two exceptional games. His best figures of 7/24 underline how destructive he can be at his peak. In a campaign that ended in a championship, Aoqib provided the one thing every title-winning team needs: a bowler who can force plays.
He also added value with the bat. Auqib scored 245 runs at a strike rate of 74.01, with two fifties and a highest score of 55. For a frontline fast, this is important. In red-ball cricket, lower-order runs often decide whether the first innings will be competitive, dominant or match-winning. Auqib’s batting made him more than a strike bowler; This made him a multiplier.
Abdul Samad was the batting engine
Leading batting campaign came from Jammu and Kashmir Abdul SamadWhose numbers reflect both consistency and scoring intent. He scored 748 runs in 10 matches at an average of 57.73 and strike rate of 69.00. He finished with 1 century and 5 fifties.
That combination is important. Average indicates reliability, and strike rate indicates pace control. Samad was simply not surviving long enough to accumulate; He was taking the innings forward. In a title-winning team, profile is invaluable as it allows a team to overcome early pressure while maintaining scoring momentum.
His return also provided continuity throughout the season. Teams can sometimes escape batting failures if a player consistently scores runs, but championships usually require more than defensive actions. Samad’s campaign served as a stable scoring base around which the rest of the batting could work.
Paras Dogra provides volume as well as stability
The second leading batting pillar was the captain Paras DograWhose season shows the value of experience in long-term cricket. Dogra scored 637 runs in 16 innings at an average of 42.46, which included 2 centuries and 4 fifties, and his highest score was 144.
These numbers matter not only for the total, but also for the structure given to the batting unit. Dogra’s output complements Samad in a very useful way. While Samad’s figures point to an attacking engine, Dogra’s returns suggest the presence of a steady, innings-building presence capable of making key contributions time and again.
In red-ball title runs, senior batsmen often shape the season in less obvious ways: absorbing difficult periods, minimizing the risk of collapse, and ensuring the middle order does not become overexposed. Dogara numbers and conversion rates indicate exactly the same type of impact.
Qamran Iqbal and Shubham Pundir batted at a high level in a short period of time.
One of the most striking features of J&K’s batting sheet is the output produced by players who did not even play the entire campaign. Qamran Iqbal scored 471 runs in 6 matches at an average of 58.87, including 2 centuries and 2 fifties, including a highest score of 160*.
This is a limited sample exclusive production. His strike rate (60.69) and balls faced (776) show a batsman capable of occupying the crease for long periods while scoring runs at a healthy pace. Two centuries in six matches also highlights a strong conversion pattern – a characteristic that often separates good seasons from exceptional seasons.
Similarly, Shubham Pundir scored 330 runs in just 4 matches at an average of 47.14, with 2 centuries and a highest score of 165. Returning two centuries in such a short space of time is a serious contribution, especially in a title-winning campaign where specific matches and stages can define the season.
Together, Qamran and Pundir represent an important part of J&K’s story: this was not a batting order relying solely on its most experienced names. It had players who were capable of playing big, match-shaping innings when required.
Depth made it difficult to stop J&K’s batting unit
Title-winning batting teams are usually characterized by depth and J&K’s statistics clearly confirm this. Apart from the title names, there were several contributors with meaningful returns:
- K Wadhawan – 474 runs, average 36.46, 1 century, 2 fifties
- Abid Mushtaq- 445 runs, average 37.08, strike rate 72.00, 1 century
- SP Khajuria- 369 runs, highest score 190
- Sahil Lottra – 281 runs in 5 matches, average 40.14, including one century
- Yudhveer Singh – 250 runs at a strike rate of 103.30
This is where the weather of Jammu and Kashmir becomes particularly impressive. Their outstanding performances were not limited to the top order. They had their batting output spread across the entire line-up, which included players who also performed bowling responsibilities. This made it difficult for the opponents to wrap up the innings even after taking early wickets.
In particular, lower-order scoring would have a cumulative effect throughout the season, extending innings, increasing first innings leads and adding pressure to the scoreboard.
This is the profile of a high quality support bowler who maintained consistent pressure and converted chances. Equally importantly, his economy rate is almost at par with Oqib’s, which shows that J&K were able to maintain control from both ends rather than just sticking around their strike bowler.
Behind them, J&K had useful wicket-taking support:
- Yudhveer Singh – 21 wickets, average 26.19
- Abid Mushtaq – 20 wickets, including his best of 7/68
- VY Sharma – 13 wickets, best 6/68
- Sahil Lottra – 8 wickets
Championship attacks are typically defined by a spearhead and at least one trusted secondary option, with enough support to prevent overdependence. There was exactly the same structure in Jammu and Kashmir.
Exceptional all-round contributors provide J&K championship balance
If Auqib + Samad + Dogra were the backbone of the title win, the team’s competitive edge throughout the season came from its all-round contributors. Many players performed well in more than one discipline:
- Auqib Nabi – 60 wickets + 245 runs
- Abid Mushtaq – 445 runs + 20 wickets
- Yudhveer Singh – 250 runs + 21 wickets
- Sahil Lottra – 281 runs + 8 wickets
This is a major reason why the Jammu and Kashmir campaign appears to be so resilient. In red-ball cricket, teams are often pulled when one department performs poorly. Well-rounded contributors reduce that risk. They allow a team to endure weak batting days, keep a long tail and still retain wicket-taking options.
Abid Mushtaq’s season is particularly notable in this regard. A return of 445 runs and 20 wickets is enough in any role, and is highly valuable in combinations. Yudhveer Singh’s strike rate with the bat adds another layer: not just runs, but fast runs that are capable of changing the momentum.
conclusion
Jammu and Kashmir’s first Ranji Trophy title was actually built on a high-functioning core, not isolated talent. Auqib Nabi stands out as the breakout performer of the season as he has combined tremendous wicket volume with elite efficiency and lower-order runs. Abdul Samad and Paras Dogra provided quantity, consistency and structure to the batting unit. Qamran Iqbal and Shubam Pundir delivered high-class returns in short runs, while Sunil Kumar ensured the bowling attack had the firepower to deliver the pace.
The broader lesson from the J&J data is simple: outstanding performers do not always work in isolation. In title-winning teams, the most important players often become more valuable because their strengths complement each other. There was exactly the same weather in Jammu and Kashmir.
