J&K stun Delhi in Ranji Trophy for the first time in 65 years
Jammu and Kashmir’s progress in Indian domestic cricket makes another take-off. The team achieved another rare milestone on Tuesday, securing their first-ever triumph against fancied Delhi by seven wickets at their home. Chasing 179, Jammu and Kashmir was steered by an unbeaten 133 from opener Qamran Iqbal that anchored a composed chase. It was Qamaran’s career-best knock in domestic cricket so far. The groundwork of the victory was laid by a familiar cast of heroes. Auqib Nabi ripped through Delhi’s first innings with a fiery 5 for 35. The team’s captain Paras Dogra led by example with a composed 106. Abdul Samad added a brisk 86 to keep the momentum alive. And when Delhi tried to claw back, young Vanshaj Sharma delivered a telling spell of 6 for 68, sealing the visitors’ grip on the match. This was J&K’s second outright win of the season. In recent years, the team has stunned several heavyweight sides, including Mumbai, Baroda, Rajasthan, and Vidarbha. This win also pushes Jammu and Kashmir to second in the Elite Group D points table, just behind leader Mumbai. However, Bengal secured a humiliating triumph agaist railways with an innings and 120 runs in their Group-C league match on Tuesday. Bengal pacer Shahbaz Ahmed demonstrated a devastated performance with seven for 56 runs. Railways innings collasped to 132 only in 55.5 overs.
The reforms in Jammu and Kashmir cricket propels Mithun Manhas as the leading candidate for the BCCI president’s post
Former Delhi batsman Mithun Manhas has emerged as the frontrunner for the BCCI’s new president post. One key reason for Mithun’s rise is his role in reviving cricket in Jammu and Kashmir. As the Head of Cricket Operations at the JKCA, he implemented improvements in infrastructure development and made the selection processes more transparent. He also introduced youth development through talent hunts and provided essentials like uniforms and gear for players and coaches. Mithun’s efforts improved playing conditions by installing dome covers and increasing turf wickets. These changes led to Jammu and Kashmir’s impressive performances in national tournaments, such as the Ranji Trophy and the Syed Mustaq Ali Trophy. Manhas has played 157 first-class matches and scored 9,714 runs in a career spanning 18 years. Roger Binny, the former all-rounder, who was the BCCI president, has stepped down because of the 70-years age cap rule for office bearers. Sources state that the BCCI will keep Devajit Sakia as secretary and Rajeev Shukla as vice-president. Veteran politician Shukla has served for five years as vice-president.
Now Kashmir awaits a franchise-based football league this year
Sudeep Pakrashi After the franchise-based football league in Kerala, Kashmir is now waiting for the launch of a similar franchise-based football league. Following an initiative from a Kashmir-based corporate house, an independent body is set to be built-up which will conduct the franchise-based football league under the supervision of J&K Sports Council. Considering plans so far, the League named Kashmir Super League (KSL) is likely to be staged in June where six to eight teams are expected to participate. Even plans have also been made to conduct an auction with the footballers. It is believed that Kashmir-based leading corporate houses like Khyber Group of Hotels, and Arko Group have shown a desire to buy teams for the KSL and they are willing to conduct the League every year. It is also learned that presently the independent body which will have the former international footballers from Kashmir also is trying to get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the League as most of the state’s prominent footballers are working at the state government’s different departments. That is why the organizers have put an option of roping foreign footballers as well as prominent footballers from other states if they fail to get NOCs for most of the state footballers. The KSL will help the football in Kashmir to encourage the state’s young potential footballers to remain in the state and earn a worthy amount of money by playing in KSL. These potential young footballers generally try to play outside the valley once dishing out impressive performances for the state and get offers from outside. Incidentally, the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council has already been nurturing grassroots talent, with officials highlighting the trials as part of broader efforts to elevate football in the region.
