The Jammu-Kashmir Files 2026: From Administrators' Will To Players' Resolve

Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Team with Ranji Trophy 2025-26 Title (Source: X)

The historic Ranji Trophy 2025-26 victory of Jammu and Kashmir is no less than a story with cinematic twists and turns. It was an achievement, built not only on individual heroics, but the combined efforts of all, who were involved together for the betterment of cricket in probably the most challenging environments.  

What makes Jammu and Kashmir’s Ranji Trophy success more convincing is the series of their ‘error free’ performances in almost every department. Besides that, the state cricket association battled with a lot of outside challenges that had been affecting the growth of cricket in Jammu and Kashmir. 

Therefore, this article dissects how a state with massive geographical challenges has broken multiple barriers beyond cricket. It also sheds light on Jammu and Kashmir’s inspiring cricketing journey to achieve the highest feat in Indian domestic cricket. 

BCCI’s ‘Mithun Manhas’ move that rejuvenated cricket in Jammu and Kashmir

Almost four and a half years ago, in 2021, the BCCI was keen on the growth of cricket in Jammu and Kashmir. So, there could be no better choice than an administrator who understands the local conditions and the internal cricketing dynamics of Jammu and Kashmir.

Hence, BCCI’s the then secretary and current ICC Chair, Jay Shah’s search ended at the Jammu-born cricketer and skilled administrator, Mithun Manhas (the current BCCI president). Shah’s trust in Manhas’ abilities was also based on the latter's experience of representing Jammu and Kashmir as a player in his domestic career. 

So, the BCCI appointed a sub-committee to handle J&K Cricket Association, with Manhas as the head of this three-member committee. Following his appointment, Manhas worked relentlessly to improve the cricketing infrastructure in J&K and instill the belief that they can also become the Ranji Trophy champions. 

Manhas reflects on the struggles and hardships

After J&K defeated Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 final, one could easily feel the glee in Mithun Manhas’ eyes as he reflected on the journey of rebuilding the cricket in J&K. He also spoke about the challenges he faced as an administrator in the process of uplifting the basic systems and infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir.  

“It’s very special and very close to my heart. Considering the hardships that we faced and the flak that we got as subcommittee members, it’s heartening to see the boys and the results that they’ve shown us,” said Manhas to The Telegraph. 

Further, he also credited the former BCCI secretary, Jay Shah, for visiting Jammu and Kashmir to see the cricket developments in the state. Notably, Shah was the only BCCI secretary to visit Jammu and Kashmir since the foundation of the J&K Cricket Association.  

“I think a lot of credit goes to Jay bhai (Jay Shah), the then general secretary and the ICC chair now. The kind of support that he has given to JKCA is beyond imagination,” said Manhas, extending his gratitude to Shah. 

Also Read: Jay Shah Issues Official Statement On Jammu And Kashmir’s Historic Ranji Trophy Triumph

Ajay Sharma’s redemption arc: From fixing allegations to Ranji-Champion Coach

How would a cricketer feel after getting banned for the fixing charges that would be cleared and not sustained in the court after a long period of 14 years? Delhi’s Domestic cricket great, Ajay Sharma, is the very individual who can accurately narrate how it feels when a bright domestic career falls prey to the curse of ‘fixing’ after more than 10,000 runs and 38 centuries in the First-Class career. 

There must have been an ocean of thoughts in Ajay Sharma’s mind while serving as a manager in the Central Warehousing Corporation during the years of ban from cricket. One of those could be, “destiny should have been a little fairer with me”. 

14 years after getting banned from cricket in 2000, destiny finally smiled at Ajay Sharma in 2014 when a Delhi district court cleared him of all charges. The emotional Sharma reacted to the court order, saying, “It's been a turbulent phase in my life for the past 14 years.” 

“It's hard for anybody, but now that the court has cleared my name of any wrongdoing, I can look forward towards starting a meaningful chapter in my life after all these years. Hope the stigma goes away,” he added. 

Mithun Manhas’ role in bringing Ajay Sharma to J&K cricketing circuit

A few years later, Sharma returned to coaching duties and took charge as the coach of the Delhi U-19 team. But things took an amazing turn in 2022, when Ajay Sharma was approached by Mithun Manhas, his former teammate and the then Director of J&K’s cricket operations. 

“When I joined in 2022, there was a sub-committee led by Mithun Manhas and Brigadier Anil Gupta," Sharma says. "Mithun had a vision. He wanted J&K to win the Ranji Trophy. I told him, 'Mithun, first let's qualify [for the knockouts] consistently and then talk about winning.' But he believed,” said Ajay Sharma while reflecting on the start of his journey as J&K coach. 

After initially resistance, Ajay Sharma built an amazing rapport with the team to form a champion side. Finally, the moment came on February 28, 2026, when Sharma and Co’s dedication paid off, as J&K defeated the multi-time Ranji Trophy champions, Karnataka, in the final of Ranji Trophy 2025-26. 

Also Read: List of All Records Made By Jammu And Kashmir By Winning Maiden Ranji Trophy Title

The comprehensively brilliant run throughout the 2025-26 season 

What differentiated Jammu and Kashmir’s run of form in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season from ‘fluke’ tag was their clinical performance throughout the season. In their squad, J&K had eight players who had the experience of playing in Ranji Trophy quarter-finals. 

Their leading wicket-taker and ‘Player of the Tournament’,  Auqib Nabi, became only the third pacer to scalp 60 wickets in a single Ranji Trophy season. He bagged 60 wickets in 17 innings, including two four-wicket hauls and seven five-wicket hauls. 

Besides Auqib Nabi, J&K batter Abdul Samad finished as one of the top-10 leading run-scorers in Ranji Trophy 2025-26. He aggregated 748 runs in 15 innings at an amazing average of 57.53, hitting a century and five half-centuries. 

Auqib Nabi and Abdul Samad were two of the prime pieces of evidence to testify to J&K’s dominance in the recently concluded season. Besides that, J&K’s win-loss ratio in the Ranji Trophy speaks volumes about their dominance and consistency throughout the tournament. 

So, Jammu and Kashmir’s historic rise in Ranji Trophy from just ‘entrants in the tournament’ to the ‘champions’ is not an ordinary story. Whenever a kid in the valley picks up a bat or a ball, these individuals will be at the forefront of their inspiration. 

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