Ranji Trophy Final: Auqib Nabi Dismantles Karnataka, J&K Nears Historic Title

HUBBALLI – The Karnataka batting order crumbled under the precision of Auqib Nabi on Day 3 of the Ranji Trophy final, bringing Jammu & Kashmir within striking distance of a maiden red-ball title. The 29-year-old seamer from Baramulla utilized distinct swing and seam movement to dismantle the hosts at the KSCA Rajnagar Stadium, overshadowing the return of star batter KL Rahul.

Baramulla Pacer Rips Through Hosts

Nabi’s spell on Thursday proved decisive in swinging the momentum toward the visitors. Operating with a high-arm action and a locked wrist, he exploited the Hubballi conditions to trouble Karnataka’s top order. Despite the high stakes of a final, Nabi attributed his success to a disciplined adherence to basic line and length rather than varied experimentation.

“In our team, all of us follow the same plan, sticking to a particular line and length. Even if the batters try to go after us, we continue to bowl in the same channel,” Nabi stated following the day’s play. This disciplined approach forced errors from the Karnataka batters, who struggled to handle the late movement off the deck.

Chasing the Season Wicket Record

Nabi entered the final with 55 wickets for the season, a tally significantly boosted by his 21 wickets across the quarterfinal and semifinal stages. Following his exploits in the first innings against Karnataka, he has closed the gap on the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.

Nabi currently trails Uttarakhand spinner Mayank Mishra, who concluded his campaign with 59 wickets. The J&K pacer needs just two more scalps to surpass Mishra and claim the top spot on the wicket-taking charts for the 2024-25 season.

Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Leading Wicket Takers

The KL Rahul Duel

Pre-match narratives focused heavily on the confrontation between Nabi and Indian international KL Rahul. The attention did not deter the seamer, who maintained his aggressive line against the veteran batter.

“I was confident because I have been taking wickets. I went in with a positive frame of mind and just wanted to keep it simple,” Nabi said regarding the face-off. “Before the match, I got a lot of messages about getting Rahul out, but I just wanted to bowl in a good channel and not focus on the batter.”

Technical Analysis: The Wrist Position

Cricket analysts observing the final noted Nabi’s superior wrist position as the differentiator. Unlike bowlers who rely purely on pace, Nabi’s ability to keep an upright seam allows for unpredictable movement off the pitch.

“Wrist position is very important. If you have a straight wrist, everything else becomes easier. The ball moves with the wrist, so a straight wrist is very important for a fast bowler,” Nabi explained.

History Beckons for J&K

Jammu & Kashmir has never won the Ranji Trophy, making this performance arguably the most significant in the association’s history. Prominent figures from the region are traveling to Hubballi for the potential celebration. For Nabi, the trophy outweighs personal accolades.

“When I represented J&K for the first time, it was my dream to win a trophy, especially in red-ball cricket. Growing up, I always knew we hadn’t won a trophy, so this means a lot,” he said.

For live updates and scorecards, visit the official BCCI website or check match analysis on ESPNcricinfo.