The 2025-26 Ranji Trophy Final It provided a moment cricket fans will not soon forget at Hubballi’s KSCA Ground. On Saturday, the historic confrontation between Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Karnataka the feverish crowd witnessed an anomaly: the star batter and the goalkeeper KL Rahul he extended his arm to roll the ball. With J&K on the brink of their maiden title, Karnataka’s desperation led to a viral moment that set social media ablaze.
KL Rahul turns to bowl during the Ranji Trophy Final 2025-26 at Hubballi
The eight-time champion Karnataka skipper walked away from the game Devdutt Padikkal In the 81st over of J&K’s second innings, he made an unconventional call to introduce Rahul into the attack. The sight of Rahul, usually found behind the stumps or in the slip area, taking off his cap and swinging slowly with his right arm, was met with roars from the Hubballi crowd.
Race 83 in particular was the highlight of the day. Face to face with a good set Coast Lotra and centurion Gamran IqbalRahul conceded 12 runs in a sequence that showcased both his experimental looping performances and batsmanship.
In the first ball (82.1), Rahul bowled a soft full toss on middle and off. Lotra didn’t miss the invitation, clearing the front leg to smoke the ball over long-on for a mighty six. The next ball (82.2) gave a rare chance; Back of a length delivery led to a thick outside edge from Lotra, but the opportunity was taken. Mayank Agarwal on the first slide.
The lesson continued with Iqbal showing his lesson. At 82.4, Iqbal goes back to a short delivery and flicks it through mid-on for a boundary. At the end of his two-run spell, Rahul’s figures were 2-0-15-0, which provided a brief, entertaining interlude in an otherwise grueling final.
We present the video:
We have kl rahul bowling pic.twitter.com/HqBRwbpKID
— Sadha (@sadha2525) February 28, 2026
Jammu and Kashmir are responsible for scripting history in the Ranji Trophy Final
While the viral clip of Rahul’s bowling caught the attention of the internet, the real story remained Jammu and Kashmir’s clinical dominance. Entering the final as a participant for the first time Paras Dogra– the leading party hurt the local giants in their own yard.
J&K’s first innings total of 584, in the lead It is Shubham Pun‘s 121, build a mountain too high for Karnataka to climb. Despite a fighting 160 from Agarwal, Karnataka were bundled out for 293 thanks to a sensational five-wicket haul by the season’s leading wicket-taker. Augib Nabi (5/54).
On the morning of Day 5, J&K extended their lead to a monumental 576 runs. Iqbal’s second innings was superb, 114 (214b), while Lotra backed him up with 63 (143b). Their partnership of over 100 runs effectively shut the door on any hope of a Karnataka miracle.
With figures of 285/4 in the second innings and a total over 575, the perennial underdogs from the North are hours away from writing their names in the prestigious Ranji Trophy for the first time.
Also WATCH: Auqib Nabi takes out KL Rahul with a peach in the Ranji Trophy final
