Adil Reshi: The rise of the “King” of Kashmir cricket

Kashmir has many talented players, yet only a few manage to climb through every level of competitive cricket. The path is tough. Limited match time, long travel, weather shifts, and fewer chances test every young player. Many struggle to keep going.

This is why the story of Adil Reshi, known as the “King” by fans, feels so special. His journey shows calm effort. It shows how steady work over many seasons shapes a player. He moved from age-group cricket to domestic tournaments, league cricket across India and leagues outside the country. He carried discipline during both good and bad years.

This blog shares the rise of Adil Reshi Kashmir cricketer, his early life, standout performances, setbacks and the strong return that earned him respect across Jammu and Kashmir cricket.

Your cricket matters. His journey proves that.

Early life and first steps

Adil was born in Srinagar in a middle-class home. He lost his father early, which placed pressure on him at a young age. Even with that, he found comfort in cricket. He often visited the SP College Ground, where many youngsters shaped their skills.

He started playing around 2002. Sundays were cricket days with his elder brother. That routine built his early love for the game. His brother, Shabbir Reshi, had already played U-14 BCCI tournaments. Watching him move through selections encouraged Adil.

In 2002, Shabbir reached division level but missed the Jammu selection. Next year he made it. That moment taught Adil how steady progress works. It gave him a spark to push harder.

Adil later completed his 12th. He joined college as well but left because cricket became his focus.

Early cricket days and age-group rise

The early stages of age-group cricket shaped the strong base of Adil Reshi Kashmir cricketer identity. Each age group taught him something new.

U-14 Jammu & Kashmir

He played U-14 twice. His most famous moment came in 2003 against Delhi U-14. He took a catch of a young Virat Kohli at short-leg. The ball touched Kohli’s shoe and popped up for a catch. Kohli was angry and sledged him. In the second innings, Kohli told him ab catch pakad ke dikha na and he was striking the ball with full strength and made 200+ runs in 2nd innings . That match taught Adil how top players respond.

U-16 (Vijay Merchant Trophy)

He played U-16 twice. These matches helped him learn patience and shot choice.

U-19 (Cooch Behar Trophy)

He played the red-ball format here. One match stood out. His bat broke early in the innings. No one was ready to share theirs, so he used a ₹200 bat he had bought on the way. While chasing 240, he scored 171 not out. With that bat 

Another strong moment came against Goa. After being bowled out for 70, the team had to follow on. Adil scored 150 in the second innings.

U-22 and U-25

He played three seasons of U-22 and two seasons of U-25. These years added match time and helped him move toward senior cricket.

A turning point at club level

The move toward domestic cricket began at the club level in Kashmir. This phase was tough. For six years, a coach did not give him match chances. He stayed as 12th man because the opener was a Ranji player. Even then, his neighbour Imtiyaz Jan kept teaching him. That support helped him stay ready.

Things changed in 2007 when he joined A.C.C Amateur Cricket Club. This choice shaped his rise. He scored 23 hundreds that year. These performances carried his name into the Ranji nets.

Next year he debuted in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He did not get many chances, so he shifted to Delhi to keep playing U-22 cricket and stay sharp.

Rise in domestic cricket

Adil went on to represent Jammu & Kashmir at the highest level:

• Ranji Trophy: 39 matches
• Vijay Hazare Trophy: 19 matches
• Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: 19 matches

Adil returned to Jammu and Kashmir in 2011. This season changed his path. He got another chance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. While chasing 130, he scored a calm and steady 80. The team lost, yet the innings stood out. It earned him a place in the Ranji camp. 

Also read: Ranji trophy winners list

Ranji debut

He scored 47 on debut. During the match, Bedi Sir scolded him for getting out early. When Adil told him it was his first match, the coach softened and appreciated his shots. That moment gave him belief. It marked the start of his senior journey.

Top run-getter seasons

• 2011: Highest run scorer for Jammu and Kashmir
• 2013: Again the highest run scorer

These two seasons shaped the early peak of the Adil Reshi Kashmir cricketer story.

Memorable moments from domestic cricket

Many matches shaped his attitude.

Ranji vs Maharashtra

The match was heading for a draw. A bowler teased him and tried to shake his calm. Adil answered with few clean boundaries. He reached around 70 and got out afterwards. So, Coach bedi sir made him run 30–35 rounds after the day’s play. The reason was simple. The coach felt he lost focus because of the sledge. It taught Adil to stay steady regardless of noise.

The tough 2012 season

He played all Ranji matches that year but struggled throughout. It was a full down phase. He then moved to Delhi to rebuild his rhythm. That move helped him. Next year he came back strong and became the highest run-getter again.

These ups and downs shaped his patience and gave him a stable mindset.

Struggles, setbacks and early retirement

Not every season went his way. In 2017, a disagreement with a coach led to a ban.
He missed the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Two years without selection changed everything. After long thinking, he stepped away from domestic cricket in 2018.

This was a tough moment. Many players stop here. Yet Adil looked ahead and tried new paths. His journey shows that stopping at one level does not end anyone’s cricket story.

International league cricket and new experiences

After domestic cricket, he wanted to step outside India and test himself.
A club from Sri Lanka invited him. He played a season there with learning purpose and to know more about conditions outside India . His numbers were average, yet he used the experience to learn. He did not return for the second year even though the club invited him again. He felt he was not enjoying the conditions fully.

Later he went to East Africa to play in the Karavan Cup. This tour gave him fresh match time and new styles of cricket.

Now he plays T20 leagues across India. In UP’s ILCC T20, he first walked in at No. 7 and won the match. He then got promoted to No. 5. Later he opened as well and scored freely. These shifts showed his flexible batting style.

Local rise and the return of the “King”

Adil’s return to Kashmir cricket happened through top-level local tournaments. These events gave him a new stage, new fans and a fresh sense of purpose. His timing, composure and clean strokes returned. People noticed quickly.

He became a strong performer in events like:

• Red Premier League
• Bijbehara Premier League
• Kashmir Cup
• JKPL

Two seasons of JKPL rebuilt his popularity. Crowds started calling him “King” again. He scored freely, guided younger players and helped his team win the first edition of JKPL.

This consistent run built a new chapter in the Adil Reshi Kashmir cricketer journey.

Recent standout performances (2025)

The 2025 season showed his powerful form once again.

Red Premier League Season 2 (Final)

He scored 106 off 58 balls in the final against a strong side with current Ranji players. It was a calm yet attacking knock.

Shalabug Champions League (Semifinal)

He scored 111 off 58 balls in the semifinal. The innings held the chase together from the start.
(Scorecard available on CricHeroes.)

These matches added fresh chapters to his story. They also show how players can peak again when they stay patient.

Batting style and favourite shots

Adil is known for his clean hitting through the off side. His calm base and steady head position help him judge length early.

favourite shots include:

• Inside-out over cover
• Lofted drives over extra cover
• Open-face strokes toward deep point
• Firm punches toward cover

His strong zone stays between cover and extra cover. In tight matches, he often looks for these areas to keep the innings flowing.

Family support and turning moments

Family shaped his cricket more than anything. His father did not support cricket at first. During U-14 days, the match fee was only ₹700 for four days. He did not see a future in the sport and even broke Adil’s bats at times.

Everything changed in 2008.
During the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Adil earned ₹40,000 (₹10,000 per match). He gave the entire amount to his father. That moment shifted his father’s view. He saw stability in cricket. From then on, he supported Adil fully. He even called Adil whenever cricket highlights were playing, thinking it was a live India match.

• His brother stayed with him through the early years.
• His wife supported him during travel and tough breaks.
• His mother stood firmly behind his dream.
• He is now a father to two sons: Mohammad Aleem and Mohammad Talha.

Family gave him the strength to stay steady.

Life beyond cricket

Adil often says that cricket shaped every part of his life. A steady domestic player can earn between ₹40–50 lakh a year, depending on the contract. Income comes from match fees, annual contracts finalised around December, and league tournaments across the country.

After stepping away from domestic cricket, he began playing tournaments across India and outside. Organisers reach out to him on their own because of his form and calm nature. Some brands have contacted him too. Earlier he could not focus on endorsements due to travel and tight schedules, but now he gives time to meaningful opportunities.

Cricket has been his only passion since childhood. Even today, he stays connected to training, match videos and learning from every innings.

Adil Reshi’s growing fan base across platforms

Adil Reshi has earned a solid following across cricket platforms and social media. On CricHeroes, more than 9,465 cricketers track his performances. His Instagram community is strong too, with over 11.1K fans following his journey. On Facebook, more than 33K people stay connected with his updates and achievements. His reach shows how consistently he has impressed both players and fans.

Testimonial from Adil Reshi

Adil speaks openly about how CricHeroes helped players like him.
He says that whenever people hear about a new player, the first thing they do is check their CricHeroes profile. The platform made things easier for both players and viewers. He often reviews his scorecards, checks dismissals and looks at past matches to understand mistakes.

He says the only regret is that CricHeroes did not exist during his early years. Today almost every tournament uses the app. It helps cricketers improve and helps the community stay informed. His message to CricHeroes is simple: keep growing and keep helping the cricket community.

What his journey teaches young players

Young cricketers from Jammu and Kashmir often face weather delays, fewer matches and long travel. Adil’s journey shows that steady effort still works.
A few lessons stand out:

• Stay patient even when chances are limited.
• Use club cricket to build confidence.
• Focus on basics more than noise around selections.
• One strong season can change your path.
• Your growth does not end with domestic cricket.
• Community tournaments matter more than people realise.

His story reminds every young player that your cricket matters, no matter where you start.

Conclusion

The journey of Adil Reshi Kashmir cricketer shows steady belief. It shows how early challenges, quiet patience and consistent work can shape a long cricket path. From age-group cricket to Ranji seasons, from tough breaks to overseas leagues, and from setbacks to local stardom, he stayed honest to the game.

He carries the name “King” not because of hype but because he stood strong across every phase.

Your cricket matters. His story proves that every innings, every chance and every effort adds to a player’s path.

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FAQ

1. Who is Adil Reshi?

Adil Reshi is a respected Kashmir cricketer known for his domestic career and strong league performances.

2. What is he called by fans?

Fans call him “King” because of his style, calm batting and match-winning knocks.

3. Where is Adil Reshi from?

He is from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

4. Why is he known as the “King” of Kashmir cricket?

He earned the name through top performances in major Kashmir leagues and steady domestic seasons.

5. How did his domestic career start?

His domestic career started after strong club cricket in 2007 and a standout knock in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

6. What is his highest score in recent local tournaments?

He scored 106 off 58 in the Red Premier League final and 111 off 58 in a Shalabug Champions League semifinal.

7. Which tournaments has he played for Jammu and Kashmir?

He played Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

8. What is his favourite batting zone?

His strongest zone is the area between cover and extra cover.

9. How does CricHeroes help him?

CricHeroes helps him check scorecards, understand dismissals and track progress.

10. Does he still play competitive cricket?

Yes, he now plays leagues across India and some tournaments outside the country.