Dreams do come true for those with unyielding resolve, and Jammu and Kashmir’s Ranji Trophy triumph proves it. On February 28, they held eight-time winners Karnataka to a draw in the final, claiming the trophy via first-innings superiority after a 67-year wait since their debut in 1959.
For decades, J&K were minnows, easy prey for elite teams. No facilities, no stars—just defeats. The 90s epitomized this struggle, with the team lacking the basics to compete.
Enter Bishan Singh Bedi, whose coaching in the early 2010s reshaped mindsets. He cultivated aggression and tactical nous, propelling J&K to their first quarterfinal in 2013-14. Confidence soared.
2014-15 brought immortality: Parvez Rasool’s men stunned Mumbai in the group stage, a feat that redefined their potential. The 2019 constitutional shift ushered in reforms—transparent selections, infrastructure boom with modern academies, and BCCI’s direct support for gear and global exposure.
Mithun Manhas’s leadership at the J&K Cricket Association was pivotal. His reforms and decision to hire Ajay Sharma as coach in 2022 turned the page. Sharma’s emphasis on mental toughness and on-field execution galvanized the squad under Paras Dogra.
Standout performers included Aquib Nabi Dar, whose 60 wickets terrorized batsmen, and clutch contributions from Shubham Pundir and Dogra. This victory signals J&K’s arrival as a force, promising more silverware and a blueprint for perseverance in Indian domestic cricket.