New Delhi, February 18, 2026 : Calling Jammu and Kashmir’s entry into the Ranji Trophy final a deeply emotional moment, Mithun Manhas, President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, said the achievement was a “dream come true”.
Manhas recalled taking charge as administrator of the crisis-hit Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association in 2021, when the body was grappling with mismanagement and corruption allegations.
“It wasn’t easy initially, but then BCCI secretary Jay Shah gave me a free hand to rebuild J&K cricket,” he said after J&K’s six-wicket semifinal win over Bengal cricket team in Kalyani.
Praising the upset victory against a side featuring stars like Mohammed Shami, Manhas said talent was never the issue in J&K—what was missing was structure and professionalism. He credited Brigadier Anil Gupta and the committee for transparent governance and talent-hunt initiatives, which unearthed players like left-arm seamer Sunil Kumar.
Manhas highlighted improved playing conditions at Harbux Stadium and Jammu’s College Ground, noting that J&K is the only North Indian team with both red and black soil pitches—an edge in domestic cricket.
Backing Experience: Paras Dogra & Ajay Sharma
Manhas said roping in veteran Paras Dogra as a professional player and appointing former India cricketer Ajay Sharma as head coach were key decisions.
“Paras brought calm, discipline, and experience—exactly what the middle order needed,” he said.
Auqib Nabi on Selectors’ Radar
Lauding pace spearhead Auqib Nabi, the first from J&K to claim 50 Ranji wickets, Manhas said the ‘Baramulla Express’ has been a consistent match-winner.
“As a cricketer, I can say he is knocking on the doors of the national team,” he remarked.
Manhas concluded that J&K’s historic run reflects years of rebuilding, accountability, and belief—finally paying rich dividends on Indian cricket’s biggest domestic stage.
