New Delhi

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Friday heaped praise on the Jammu and Kashmir team for their exploits against Karnataka in their maiden Ranji Trophy final, singling out pacer Auqib Nabi as a player ready for international honours.

Nabi has taken 60 wickets so far this Ranji season, including figures of five for 54 against Karnataka in the first innings of the final. His spell put J&K firmly in control as they bowled out the eight-time champions for 293 in 93.3 overs, after posting a commanding 584 in Hubballi.

“J&K has shown the world what effort and intent can do… They have made that region so proud of them… tough environment makes tough people,” Ganguly wrote on X.

“Aqib Nabi on his way to national colours… England is the place to start in the summer,” (sic) he added, tagging the Board of Control for Cricket in India, senior men’s selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar, and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia.

Resuming Day 4 at 220 for five, Karnataka lost their remaining five wickets for 73 runs, with Nabi dismissing top batter Mayank Agarwal (160) and also removing Shikhar Shetty.

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Jammu and Kashmir thus secured a crucial 291-run first-innings lead in the historic final.