--- title: "The rise of cricket in Jammu & Kashmir: unsung heroes of J&K" url: "https://blog.cricheroes.com/rise-cricket-jammu-kashmir/" date: "2026-03-20T15:01:09+05:30" modified: "2026-03-20T15:01:21+05:30" author: name: "Manan Joshi" url: "https://blog.cricheroes.com/" categories: - "Cricketpedia" - "Top Grassroots cricket" word_count: 1258 reading_time: "7 min read" summary: "A team that refused to stay in the shadows" description: "A team that refused to stay in the shadows For years, Jammu & Kashmir stayed away from cricket headlines. Talent existed, but results did not follow. Tha..." keywords: "Cricketpedia, Top Grassroots cricket" language: "en" schema_type: "Article" related_posts: - title: "Uncapped player meaning: Rules, price & teams" url: "https://blog.cricheroes.com/uncapped-player-meaning/" - title: "Indoor Cricket Rules: Everything You Need to Know Before You Play" url: "https://blog.cricheroes.com/indoor-cricket-rules-everything-to-know/" - title: "All About Big Bash League (BBL): Australia’s T20 Cricket League" url: "https://blog.cricheroes.com/all-about-big-bash-league-bbl-australias-t20-cricket-league/" --- # The rise of cricket in Jammu & Kashmir: unsung heroes of J&K _Published: March 20, 2026_ _Author: Manan Joshi_ ![The rise of cricket in Jammu & Kashmir: unsung heroes of J&K](https://blog.cricheroes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/seo_blog_banner-12-1024x576.jpg) ## A team that refused to stay in the shadows For years, Jammu & Kashmir stayed away from cricket headlines. Talent existed, but results did not follow. That gap cost players chances, confidence, and visibility. Then came a shift. Better structure, stronger leadership, and belief changed the direction. What followed was not a sudden rise, but a steady climb that led to a Ranji Trophy win in 2025/26. This is the story of how that climb happened and the players who carried it forward. ## TL;DR / Key takeaways - Jammu & Kashmir’s Ranji Trophy 2025/26 win came after years of structure and discipline. - Key figures like Mithun Manhas, Paras Dogra, and Ajay Sharma shaped the team’s mindset. - Abdul Samad and Auqib Nabi led with performance and growth. - The journey shows how systems and patience build winning teams. ## How did the rise of cricket in Jammu & Kashmir begin? The rise of cricket in Jammu & Kashmir began with structural changes, experienced leadership, and a focus on discipline from 2015 onward. The turning point came when Mithun Manhas returned to the state setup. He brought clarity, structure, and accountability into a system that had struggled earlier. Key early changes included: - Clear team structure and selection pathways - Focus on discipline and match awareness - Experienced domestic players guiding younger talent - Better coordination within the cricket association These steps did not bring instant wins. However, they created a base that allowed players to grow with purpose. The early phase was about fixing habits, not chasing headlines. ## What role did Mithun Manhas and the support staff play? Mithun Manhas and the support staff built a culture of trust, discipline, and long-term thinking that shaped J&K’s success. Manhas did not try to control everything. Instead, he trusted experienced professionals to take charge of cricketing decisions. Key appointments and roles: - Ajay Sharma as head coach, known for strong red-ball understanding - Paras Dogra as captain, bringing stability and experience - Freedom for staff to groom players without pressure This approach worked because it stayed consistent. Players knew what was expected. Coaches had clarity. The system stayed stable. A small but honest truth: most teams fail not due to lack of talent, but due to lack of direction. J&K fixed that first. ## The turning point wins that changed belief Jammu & Kashmir’s rise became real when they started winning away games against strong teams. These were not close calls. They were clear statements. Key victories in the Ranji Trophy journey: | **Match** | **Venue** | **Result impact** | |---|---|---| | vs Delhi | Arun Jaitley Stadium | Announced arrival | | vs Madhya Pradesh | Indore | Quarterfinal breakthrough | | vs Bengal | Kalyani Stadium | Beat international-level attack | | vs Karnataka | Hubballi | Secured the title | Each win followed a similar pattern: - Disciplined bowling - Patient batting - Strong sessions, not flashy moments After three away wins, many felt J&K had already done enough. The team did not stop there. They pushed for the title. That mindset made the difference. ## Abdul Samad’s journey from mistake to match-winner Abdul Samad’s growth shows how players evolve through mistakes and guidance. In 2020, he played a risky shot that cost J&K a key first-innings lead against Karnataka. At 18, that moment stayed with him. Fast forward to 2025/26: - 748 runs in the season - Highest run-scorer for J&K - Improved shot selection and patience - Better control under pressure What changed? - Coaching focused on temperament - Captaincy support built confidence - Match experience shaped decision-making A simple question often asked: > “Why do some young players fade after one mistake?” Because they do not get guidance after it. Samad did. That made the difference. ## Auqib Nabi and the bowling backbone Auqib Nabi led J&K’s bowling attack with consistency, control, and match awareness. In red-ball cricket, teams win when bowlers take 20 wickets. Nabi delivered that edge. His numbers tell the story: - 44 wickets in 2024/25 - 60 wickets in 2025/26 - 104 wickets across two seasons Key strengths in his bowling: - Tight line in the fourth-stump channel - Patience across long spells - Ability to break partnerships In the final against Karnataka, his five-wicket spell on a flat pitch changed the match. That performance gave J&K control early. This was not about pace or swing. It was about control and discipline. ## What made this Ranji Trophy win different? Jammu & Kashmir’s Ranji Trophy win stood out because it was built on consistency across matches, not one standout performance. Winning one big game can happen. Winning across venues against strong teams shows balance. What set J&K apart: - Strong top order stability - Bowling unit that stayed patient - Leadership that stayed calm under pressure - Clear roles for every player There was no over-reliance on one star. The team functioned as a unit. That is often the hardest part to build. ## What does this mean for grassroots cricket in J&K? This win shows that players from any region can reach the top level with structure, support, and patience. The next step is clear: - Better stadium facilities - More practice wickets and academies - Fitness and rehab systems - Structured youth programs Without these, momentum slows down. With them, it grows. Young players in J&K now have proof. The path exists. It has been walked. ## What this journey leaves behind Jammu & Kashmir did not win overnight. They built slowly, trusted their process, and stayed patient when results were not immediate. That approach turned a struggling setup into a champion team. The lesson is simple. Systems shape players, and players carry teams. If you want your performances to count, start recording them. Log your next match on **[CricHeroes](https://cricheroes.com/?utm_source=blog.cricheroes.com&utm_medium=organic_seo&utm_campaign=all-about-big-bash-league-bbl-australias-t20-cricket-league)** and track how your game grows over time. Your cricket matters. ## FAQs ### Why is the rise of cricket in Jammu & Kashmir important? The rise of cricket in Jammu & Kashmir matters because it shows how structure and discipline can change results over time. It also gives young players in the region a clear path to follow and builds belief at the grassroots level. ### Who were the key players in J&K’s Ranji Trophy win? Key players included Abdul Samad with the bat and Auqib Nabi with the ball. Paras Dogra led the team, while Ajay Sharma guided the squad as coach with strong red-ball focus. ### How did J&K defeat strong teams like Delhi and Bengal? J&K defeated strong teams by staying disciplined across sessions. Their bowlers built pressure, while batters avoided risky shots and played long innings. ### What role did Mithun Manhas play in J&K cricket? Mithun Manhas helped build structure and direction in the system. He trusted experienced coaches and players, which created stability and long-term growth. ### Can players from smaller regions reach the national team? Yes, players from smaller regions can reach the national team through consistent domestic performance. Systems like Ranji Trophy provide that platform. ### What made Abdul Samad improve as a batter? Abdul Samad improved by working on shot selection and patience. Coaching and leadership support helped him turn early mistakes into learning moments. ### Why is bowling important in red-ball cricket success? Bowling is key because teams need 20 wickets to win. Consistent bowlers like Auqib Nabi create pressure and break partnerships. ### How can young cricketers track their progress? Young cricketers can track progress by recording match stats, analysing performance trends, and reviewing consistency over time using tools like CricHeroes. ### What lessons can grassroots teams learn from J&K? Grassroots teams can learn the value of discipline, role clarity, and patience. Success builds over time when systems stay consistent. ### How does CricHeroes help local cricketers? CricHeroes helps local cricketers by recording match stats, tracking performance, and building a visible cricket profile that teams and selectors can follow. --- _View the original post at: [https://blog.cricheroes.com/rise-cricket-jammu-kashmir/](https://blog.cricheroes.com/rise-cricket-jammu-kashmir/)_ _Served as markdown by [Third Audience](https://github.com/third-audience) v3.5.3_ _Generated: 2026-03-20 09:31:22 UTC_