Rohan Mahajan
mahajanrohan0990@gmail.com
The proverb “As you sow, so shall you reap” aptly suits Jammu and Kashmir Men’s Senior Team’s growth in red-ball cricket, particularly in the Ranji Trophy across the last two seasons, including the ongoing edition.
Much like chess pieces that understand their value on the board, every player in the squad knows his role. Whether in the starting eleven or waiting in the wings, each one backs his strengths and adapts to match situations. Gone are the days when recklessness overshadowed responsible play. Under the new management and think-tank system, a disciplined and determined approach has become the team’s “Success Mantra”. Failures are accepted as part of the process, but the men representing J&K show “100 + 1 %” commitment and intent, driven by the dream of donning the India jersey someday.
Early Traces
The initial sparks date back to 2019, when Irfan Pathan mentored the group and J&K reached the Ranji quarters for only the second time. But the real shift emerged when JKCA brought in experienced Paras Dogra as captain and entrusted India-capped Ajay Sharma with head-coach duties. Early as it may be, the Paras-Sharma pairing in the first-class setup has shown shades of a Kohli-Shastri-style impact for J&K.
Some may argue that this rise is neither a flaming purple patch nor a grand renaissance. But those who have long followed J&K cricket will tell you this is a one-of-its-kind, steady and quiet path towards revolution. “Rome wasn’t built in a Day” reminds us that meaningful changes don’t happen overnight. They require struggle, patience, and sustained effort, not shortcuts or instant gratification.
In pursuit of their maiden Ranji crown, J&K remained unbeaten through the league stage, securing five successive wins (a historic first). That flawless run came to an end with a one-run heartbreak vs Kerala in the last-eight stage on neutral grounds. It was also the only instance across J&K’s four ‘five-day’ knockout appearances where the match ended in a draw, with the team bowing out after finishing behind on the first-innings score. The other three knockouts all resulted in outright defeats: to Orissa in 2001 Pre-QFs, to Punjab in 2014 QFs, and to Karnataka in 2020 QFs.
For years, J&K wandered like a lost dwarf planet in the vast universe of Indian domestic cricket – directionless, aimless, sans clear strategy, and seldom taken seriously. There was a time when mere competing felt like winning, and even drawn encounters carried gravity. That chapter is firmly shut these days. This team has moved beyond moral victories. Dominant performances are now the expectation. J&K used to spring surprise upsets; now they write history every time they take the field. Beating top-tier sides isn’t a shocker anymore, as they’ve done it against multiple-time champions, multiple times.
Wise Preparation
Multi-day cricket demands volume, grind, and game-time. JKCA invested by entering the prestigious Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament as pre-season. They made their maiden semis there before losing to TNCA Prez XI.
For starters, advancing to the Ranji quarterfinal may not sound extraordinary. But for a team coming from a politically sensitive and climatically challenging region, with long-standing structural roadblocks, it is nothing short of a remarkable achievement. Their upward trajectory is grounded in a decently performing age-group structure and guided by a revamped association that understands what players need to thrive — be it proper pitches, competitive matches, conditioning, positive environment, or access to quality resources. Notably, a fortnight ago, J&K U-19 Boys thrashed formidable Mumbai colts in the Cooch Behar Trophy, and this very episode speaks highly about their resurgence.
Interestingly, barring the 2019-20 cycle, all of J&K’s other knockout entries have coincided with years when the Abdullah family was running the state/UT government: Dr Farooq Abdullah in 2000-01, Omar Abdullah in 2013-14, and again in 2024-25. Even their maiden RJT victory in 1982 (ever since participation began in 1959) came under Sheikh Abdullah. It is a factual coincidence without any intrinsic cricketing connection or relevance, but certainly a quirky footnote… one for the history books.
Shining Moments – ACT I
To round up the first half of the 91st Ranji Trophy iteration (2025-26), both statistically and significantly, the northernmost side delivered several defining moments:
Yudhvir Singh once again troubled Bombay batters, though this time, unlike their previous meeting, his fiery spell came in a losing cause. Shubham Khajuria’s marathon knock of 190 against Chhattisgarh ensured J&K held firm for a 1-point draw after a shaky start.
Red-hot Auqib Nabi Dar, now an IPL storyline, returned sensational figures of 7 for 24 against Rajasthan (the best-ever by a J&K fast bowler), powering the team’s roaring bounce-back after their opening debacle against mighty Mumbai. Since 2024, the Baramulla swing maestro has the most scalps (73 wkts) among pacers in the competition.
Skipper Paras Dogra’s record 33rd Ranji century (only second to Wasim Jaffar), spinner Vanshaj Sharma’s terrific six-wicket haul, Vivrant Sharma’s stunning catch that triggered an opposition’s collapse, and opener Qamran Iqbal’s unbeaten hundred in a fourth-innings chase sealed a memorable win against Delhi.
Against Hyderabad, it was collective excellence: Left-arm quick from Akhnoor Sunil Kumar picked up his maiden five-wicket haul. Abdul Samad’s ton and his 191-run fifth-wicket partnership with keeper-bat Kanhaiya Wadhawan set a new record for J&K for that position. Abid Mushtaq struck a vital fifty and took a match-turning 7-for to skittle the Deccan side.
This is only the second time in its Ranji history, and the first since the spectacular 2019-20 campaign (vs Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Odisha), that J&K has registered first-ever outright wins over three teams in a single season: a.) Rajasthan [bonus-point ‘innings’ triumph], b.) Delhi [landmark conquest after 42 attempts and 66 years], c.) Hyderabad [thumping result by their second-largest margin of 281 runs]. All ex-winners.
Iffy Layers Beneath Surge
However, while everything appears primed, a few more layers present a nuanced picture. J&K is already rich in producing young and prodigious fast bowlers, many of whom have single-handedly won matches for the team. But the batting department still leans heavily on two or three mainstays. Allrounders mostly have to handle rescue acts. The middle order lacks consistent solidity, and the lower-middle order often looks fragile.
Reaching their maiden semi-final should not be the ceiling. Lifting the title must be the next step. For that, the batters must consistently match the bowlers’ efforts. Bowling alone cannot win on placid decks. One encouraging aspect is the team’s noticeably improved fielding standards.
Another unsung aspect has been the strong internal bonding among teammates; they win together, lose together, and function as a synced unit. The side has come a long way from blame games to embracing answerability.
Yet it’s also important to remember that J&K players have only recently begun getting thorough exposure. Around just 10-odd cricketers from the region have gotten IPL contracts till date. From minnows to dark horses is progress, but more strides are required. In modern cricket, you need to be a swift hare, not the slow tortoise, to seize opportunities and leave a lasting punch.
Ready, Set, Go
With the Ranji Trophy set to resume after the white-ball (limited-overs SMAT & Vijay Hazare Trophy) stretch, J&K will restart their campaign on 22 January against Puducherry, followed by a clash versus Himachal Pradesh on the 29th. Fittingly, their final two group fixtures will come under Paras, a native Himachali who also represented Pondicherry later in his career.
For the record, J&K haven’t beaten Himachal in two decades (the last win came under Abdul Qayoom). This phase gives JKCA a golden chance to make their rise even more monumental, provided they maintain the same momentum. Having topped their Elite group the previous season and currently placed 2nd in the Elite Group D (with a 93% qualification probability), J&K stand on the brink of scripting famous history. They have never before made consecutive Ranji Quarterfinals. This could well be the breakthrough era for generations ahead.
Stats Speak for Itself
In their last 13 Ranji games, Jammu & Kashmir have won eight outright, secured first-innings honors in one, conceded the lead in three draws (including that agonizing quarterfinal), and suffered just a single hard-fought defeat. Taking Mumbai down is never a cakewalk for any team. They are 42-time champions for a reason. J&K did come close to landing a rare triple blow on the domestic powerhouse before nerves crept in during this season’s opener. Having already defeated them back-to-back in their own den (2014 & 2025), they, as hosts, lost by a bare 35-run margin while chasing the 243-run total. Had they won that too, it could have been a big bang moment for JKCA and the whole UT. Half of those 8 wins came away from home, underscoring both balance and the ability to perform in varied conditions.
There’s poetry in J&K’s journey this season. Under Delhi stalwart Ajay Sharma, they marched into the National Capital and outclassed Delhi at Kotla… where former JK player-turned-director Mithun Manhas (now BCCI President) witnessed their evolution unfold live. With Rajasthan veterans P. Krishnakumar and Dishant Yagnik sharpening their bowling arsenal and fielding work, they dismantled the State of Kings in commanding fashion at the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium.
Push Force
Behind this ascent lies the JKC association’s push, which has made a tangible difference: fitness and fielding camps, out-of-region practice games and friendlies, video analysis, local tourneys, and above all, administrative stability. Improved governance, streamlined finances, better facilities, proper travel support, and quality equipment have all contributed to the metamorphosis. The pieces are finally aligning. Together, these things have turned a ripple into a wave, one that J&K are now riding with purpose and belief. After all, well begun is already half the job done.
(The author is a MJMC postgraduate from Jammu University)
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