BCCI president Mithun Manhas reflects on the journey of Jammu and Kashmir cricket, from overcoming mismanagement and corruption to reaching their first-ever Ranji Trophy final.
Baroda, Vidarbha, and Uttar Pradesh registered significant victories in the second round of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C on Tuesday. Baroda secured a dominant 10-wicket win over Bihar, Vidarbha clinched a thrilling three-wicket victory against defending champions Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttar Pradesh defeated Goa by 68 runs.
Defending champions Jammu and Kashmir made an impressive start to their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A campaign, dismissing Madhya Pradesh for 196 on the opening day. Medium pacer Rohit Sharma led the attack with a five-wicket haul, while Sunil Kumar added four wickets. J&K were 3/1 at stumps, trailing by 193 runs.
Baramulla-born fast bowler Auqib Nabi has been selected for the Indian Test squad to play against Sri Lanka, replacing an injured Jasprit Bumrah. This marks a historic moment as Nabi becomes the first player from the Kashmir Valley to join India's Test team, following impressive performances in the Ranji Trophy.
Rest of India were bowled out for 237 by a spirited Jammu and Kashmir attack on Day 1 of the Irani Cup. Skipper Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan failed to convert starts, while Shikhar Mohan and Ravichandran Smaran scored half-centuries. J&K ended the day at 21 for 2, losing two early wickets.
Jammu and Kashmir take on eight-time champions Karnataka in their maiden Ranji Trophy final. KL Rahul and Shreyas Gopal lead Karnataka's charge as Auqib Nabi spearheads J&K's bowling attack.
Former Indian cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Aakash Chopra discussed cricket selection, dismissing claims of regional discrimination and emphasising performance and hard work. They highlighted the launch of the Pro Star Cricket League (PSCL) Season 2 as a platform for emerging talent, particularly from regions like Jammu and Kashmir, and acknowledged the role of luck in a competitive environment.
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has rejected a petition by the Enforcement Directorate to add charges of receiving and concealing stolen property in the alleged Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association fund scam. While the court upheld the ED's right to file such an application, it found insufficient merit in the current material to invoke sections 411 and 424 of the Ranbir Penal Code, stating that the alleged acts were part of the principal transaction of conspiracy and breach of trust.
The fifth edition of the J&K Open golf tournament, featuring a doubled prize purse of Rs 1 crore, is set to begin at the Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar. Defending champion Shaurya Bhattacharya will compete against top Indian professionals and international players, with the event also aiming to boost golf tourism in the region.
Captain Aryan Juyal's unbeaten 60 helped Uttar Pradesh recover against Goa, while Rajat Patidar's 107* put Madhya Pradesh in control against Puducherry, and Ravikumar Samarth's 133 kept Vidarbha in contention against Jammu & Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah cheered from the stands KSCA Cricket Ground in Hubbali on Saturday as the J&K cricket team inched closer to a historic maiden Ranji Trophy title.
Auqib Nabi made a notable debut for Surrey, taking Kuldeep Yadav's wicket.
Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi made his international debut for India in the second ODI against West Indies in Guwahati, becoming the third player from J&K to play for India in ODIs.
Defending champions Jammu and Kashmir managed to secure a draw against Madhya Pradesh in their Ranji Trophy Group A opener. Rain and bad light intervened on the final day, preventing Madhya Pradesh from pushing for a victory after J&K were left reeling at 88 for seven chasing 326.
The Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season is set to begin on Sunday, featuring several prominent India cricketers like KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Their participation aims to provide valuable red-ball practice and fine-tune skills, while also offering a platform for players like Mohammed Shami to impress selectors. The tournament will also highlight emerging young talents from various states.
Rest of India defeated reigning Ranji Trophy champions Jammu and Kashmir by 167 runs to clinch the Irani Cup, with pacers Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep sharing nine wickets in a sensational bowling performance.
Ravichandran Smaran's unbeaten 126 propelled the Rest of India to a commanding 265-run lead against Jammu and Kashmir on Day 3 of their Irani Cup match in Srinagar, despite early setbacks for India batters Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan.
Rishabh Pant, recently excluded from India's white-ball squad, has been appointed captain of the Rest of India team for the upcoming Irani Cup match against Ranji Trophy champions Jammu and Kashmir.
Mukesh Choudhary's impressive 5/78 helped Rest of India restrict Jammu and Kashmir to 278 on day two of the Irani Cup. Despite a strong fightback from J&K's Paras Dogra, Abdul Samad, and Lone Nasir Muzaffar, RoI ended the day 17 runs in arrears in their second innings, having lost an early wicket. The match has been dominated by fast bowlers, with RoI looking to build a lead on day three.
Defending champions Jammu and Kashmir were bowled out for 120, allowing Madhya Pradesh to take a 135-run overall lead on day two of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match. Meanwhile, Baroda, Uttar Pradesh, and Vidarbha also established strong positions in their respective matches.
Rinku Singh's unbeaten 118 helped Uttar Pradesh recover from a collapse to post 202 against Goa in their Ranji Trophy match. Goa ended day one at 43 for no loss, trailing by 159 runs. Other Group A matches saw Baroda struggling against Bihar, MP losing wickets against Puducherry, and J&K posting 260 against Vidarbha.
Rest of India defeated Jammu and Kashmir by 167 runs to win the Irani Cup, providing a perfect birthday gift for Captain Rishabh Pant. Despite Pant being sidelined with fever, the team's pacers, led by Mukesh Kumar, secured a sensational victory by adjusting their bowling strategy in the second innings. Young batter Ravichandran Smaran also played a crucial role with a superb century.
Jammu and Kashmir won their maiden Ranji Trophy on the first innings lead after drawing the final against Karnataka.
Karnataka secured their spot in the Ranji Trophy final after 11 years, progressing due to a first-innings lead in their drawn semi-final against Uttarakhand.
Jammu and Kashmir cricketers, who could not train for the upcoming domestic season due to the communication clampdown in the region, have finally managed to get together and will begin their training in Baroda from Thursday.
Uttar Pradesh defeated Bihar by an innings and 267 runs in their Group A Ranji Trophy match in Rajgir. Impressive bowling from Kartik Yadav and Karan Sharma led UP to a comprehensive victory on the third day, dismissing Bihar for 141 and 132 in their two innings.
The second round of the Ranji Trophy will see India's Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill return to action for Punjab, while Mumbai will be without key players Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ayush Mhatre due to India A duties and injury, respectively, setting the stage for crucial encounters across the country.
Political parties and residents in Jammu and Kashmir celebrate the Union territory's Ranji team's first-ever title win, praising the team's resilience and unity.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced a cash reward of Rs 2 crore for the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team following its maiden Ranji Trophy triumph.
Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant were not picked in Indian team for the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies, while Ruturaj Gaikwad made a return to the one-day team.
Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh clarified his stance on his political future and loyalty to the BJP, stating it is his duty to voice his feelings about Punjab to the party, but this does not imply he is quitting. He also reflected on his long political career and the current "difficult times" while attending a book launch.
Pace spearhead Auqib Nabi was the standout performer for Jammu and Kashmir but the triumphant Ranji Trophy campaign was a team effort.
Auqib Nabi's journey from a small village in Baramulla to becoming a key player in Jammu and Kashmir's Ranji Trophy victory is a story of perseverance and dedication.
Jammu and Kashmir scripted an extraordinary tale of resilience in Indian domestic cricket to claim their maiden Ranji Trophy title by out-batting traditional heavyweights Karnataka in the final in Hubbali on Saturday.
The Jammu Marathon, featuring international runners, symbolises the transformation of Jammu and Kashmir since 2019, highlighting peace, prosperity, and its emergence as a destination for world-class events.
Auqib Nabi's Surrey stint will provide crucial first-class exposure in England as the J&K pacer seeks to strengthen his case for India's Test squad for New Zealand.
Veteran fast bowler Ishant Sharma's coach, Shravan Kumar, has criticised the national selectors for not including pace sensation Auqib Nabi in the Indian team's playing XI for the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan. Kumar highlighted Nabi's exceptional performance of 60 wickets in the Ranji Trophy, which was instrumental in Jammu & Kashmir's maiden title triumph, arguing that such achievements should not be overlooked by relegating him to a backup role.
The BCCI has announced a 15-member India A squad for three unofficial Tests against New Zealand A, starting October 24. The squad includes senior players like KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, and Rishabh Pant (subject to fitness), raising questions about their availability for all 'A' matches due to overlapping ODI commitments.
Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi and Madhya Pradesh's Saransh Jain, both uncapped players, have been drafted into the Indian Test squad for the series against Sri Lanka, replacing injured Jasprit Bumrah.
Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh has been named in the North Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, with Jammu and Kashmir's Kanhaiya Wadhawan appointed captain. The 15-member squad also includes six players from the Ranji Trophy-winning Jammu and Kashmir side and other promising talents.
