Shubham Bunder in Jammu and Kashmir celebrates its centenary (PTI Photo)
Ranji Trophy finals are often marathons, and the ongoing summit clash between Jammu and Kashmir and Karnataka follows that scenario. After J&K scored 584 runs in the first innings, Karnataka reached 35 for one at lunch on the third day but slumped to 98 for four in the second session.Go beyond boundaries with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!With plenty of time remaining but a large deficit to overcome, a draw remains a possibility. Unlike league matches, the Ranji Trophy final must produce a winner. Fortunately, there is one main rule that provides clarity: advancing in the first turns determines the champion if no clear outcome emerges.
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Essentially, if neither side can pitch the other twice or chase down a home run, the team with the higher first innings total wins the cup.
This ensures that sustained performance is rewarded over the longer format, especially in multi-day matches where weather or pitch conditions can prevent the match from being finished completely.Here’s how the current final could play out:Scenario 1 – Karnataka advances in the first innings:If Karnataka surpasses J&K’s tally of 584 by scoring 585 runs or more, they will have a decisive first innings advantage. Even if the match ends in a draw after that, Karnataka will be crowned Ranji Trophy champions.
This is the simplest path to the title for the South Side, although it requires overcoming a huge deficit.Scenario 2 – Jammu and Kashmir maintains the lead:If Karnataka does not reach 584, J&K will retain the first innings advantage. In this case, regardless of the remaining time or the result of the tie, Jammu and Kashmir will be declared champions. Their strong batting performance and early bowling control currently puts them in a leadership position.Scenario 3 – External outages:In the unlikely event of rain or other factors preventing Karnataka from completing their innings and not establishing a lead in the first innings, tournament rules could default on group stage points or previous performance. However, a lead in the first rounds is usually decisive in the finals.The 584 in Jammu and Kashmir were built through disciplined partnerships and lower-grade resistance, which gave them a strong platform. The bowlers also applied early pressure in Karnataka’s reply, removing key batsmen KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Smaran Ravichandran and Karun Nair.
