Sixty-seven years. That’s how long it took for Jammu and Kashmir to enter their maiden Ranji Trophy finals. There have been flashes in the pan over the past decade, when, in 2013-14, Jammu and Kashmir edged Goa on net run rate to reach the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals, and in 2015-16, they overcame giants Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium.
Before this season, Jammu and Kashmir's journey in the Ranji Trophy was a story of struggle. In their long history, they had played 334 matches and won only 45. It took the team 44 years just to secure their first win, against Services in the 1982-83 season.
However, all that changed on Wednesday when the team rewrote history, stunning two-time champions Bengal by six wickets to enter the Ranji Trophy finals for the first time ever.
Chasing a modest target of 126 runs at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground, Jammu and Kashmir's victory was sealed by a brilliant 55-run partnership between IPL star Abdul Samad (unbeaten 30 from just 27 balls, including three sixes and a four) and Vanshaj Sharma (43 not out) on the fourth day of the semifinal. Auqib Nabi was adjudged man of the match for his stunning nine-wicket match haul.
The victory was an emotional moment for current BCCI president Mithun Manhas. He had joined the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) as an administrator in 2021, a time when the organisation was struggling with mismanagement and serious allegations of corruption.
In an exclusive interview with PTI, Manhas recalled the challenges. "It wasn't very easy at that time when I took over as the administrator," he said. "The then BCCI secretary Jay Shah gave me a free hand and told me that do whatever is needed to get Jammu and Kashmir cricket back on track.
"I was watching the match on TV and beating a side like Bengal that had players like Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep is a huge achievement," Manhas said. "The cricketer in me is emotional as I ended my first-class career and also worked with the state unit there."
Manhas credited his colleague, Brigadier Anil Gupta, for doing a commendable job in the early days. "When I took over, we conducted talent hunt competitions," he said, referring to his colleague in the BCCI sub-committee that oversaw J&K cricket. "You see left-arm seamer Sunil Kumar, who played a big role, is a product of that talent hunt. Having played nearly two decades in Delhi, I had an idea of what is required to succeed at this level. We had a Cricket Committee that did a fine job, with honesty and transparency."
This committee was originally formed on the orders of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court to address the mismanagement within the JKCA.
Manhas, a Delhi cricket legend with 9,714 first-class runs, explained that his committee focused on creating the right conditions for success. "Both the Harbux Stadium in Srinagar and the College Ground in Jammu have 10 centre strips each with both red and black soil pitches," he noted. "We are the only north Indian state with both black and red soil strips."
He added that improved preparation was key. "When we played against Mumbai last year and beat them, the team had travelled and practised in Mumbai at least a week before the game," he said.
Manhas also highlighted what he felt was his biggest contribution: bringing in veteran batsman Paras Dogra to play as a professional for the state at the age of 41. Dogra now leads the team, which is coached by Ajay Sharma, a former India player and Manhas's old clubmate.
Manhas had special praise for Nabi, nicknamed the "Baramulla Express," who became the first bowler from the state to take 50 wickets in a season. He added that the national selectors must be taking note of his outstanding performances.
After an opening loss to Mumbai, Jammu and Kashmir bounced back with innings wins over Rajasthan and key victories against Delhi and Hyderabad to enter the knockouts. A dramatic 56-run win over Madhya Pradesh in the quarterfinal, powered by Nabi's 12/110, took them to the semifinals for the first time.
(With PTI inputs)