The Uncapped Legend: The Journey Of Paras Dogra Will Be Written In The Stars

Paras Dogra [Source: X]

In every sport, hundreds of athletes pour their hearts into the game, driven by passion and love for what they do. Yet only a handful ever reach the pinnacle—earning fame, recognition, and the honour of representing their country. For most, the journey is filled with challenges and setbacks; their struggles often go unseen as they continue to play far from the spotlight.

In a country like India, countless players persist, quietly enduring sacrifices and disappointments. Their dreams are fuelled by determination, even as the world rarely notices their efforts. Paras Dogra from Jammu and Kashmir is one such name in India’s cricket circuit.

Paras Dogra: The domestic giant

Paras Dogra, the 42-year-old Jammu and Kashmir captain, is leading his team to their first Ranji Trophy final in his 25th season. He recently became only the second player in Ranji Trophy history to score 10,000 runs, joining Wasim Jaffer, who tops the chart with over 12,000 runs. Dogra reached this milestone during a key partnership, contributing a vital 58 in his team's historic win over Bengal in the Ranji trophy semifinal.

Dogra started his career with Himachal Pradesh in 2001 and served them for 17 years, becoming one of the most prolific batters for the team. Although he was rarely in focus and Himachal Pradesh generally played in the Plate division of the Ranji trophy, Dogra scored more than 6,000 runs for them with 19 centuries.

Also read: Jammu And Kashmir Skipper Paras Dogra Breaks Ranji Record; Becomes Only 2nd Batter To…

The missed opportunities and shattered dreams

Paras Dogra's cricketing career nearly reached its highest point during the 2012-13 season. His outstanding performance for Himachal Pradesh, where he scored five centuries in just eight matches, brought him to the brink of national recognition. He came closest to an India call-up and was selected for the India-A team. Dogra played one single match against the touring West Indies-A side, scoring just 7 runs.

That was it. This one outing effectively closed his path to the Indian national side. Then came a few IPL gigs, and Dogra featured for four different IPL teams. However, he could never establish himself and gradually faded from the spotlight.

Despite the setbacks, Dogra remained committed to his cricketing journey, continuing to excel in the domestic circuit. His perseverance and dedication to the game remained evident throughout his career.

Paras Dogra: The uncapped legend of Indian domestic circuit

In 2018, Dogra undertook a new challenge by joining Puducherry and played a pivotal role in elevating the team's competitiveness, notably achieving their first-ever century in the Ranji cricket tournament. Before the 2024-25 season, he transitioned from Puducherry to Jammu and Kashmir, a team gaining recognition due to the efforts of emerging talents such as Abdul Samad, Umran Malik, and Auqib Nabi.

With his extensive experience and proven record in the Ranji Trophy, Dogra was an ideal choice for captain, bringing valuable leadership and strategic insight to the side.

Jammu and Kashmir finished as group toppers, but their campaign ended in heartbreak. They conceded just 1-run lead against Kerala in the quarter-final and then could not bowl them out even after setting up a 399-run target thanks to a century by Dogra.

The team then built on it further this season under the leadership of Paras Dogra. They worked on their previous progress and finally did the unthinkable. They beat two-time Ranji champions Bengal in the semifinal and made their maiden entry in a Ranji Trophy final.

Paras Dogra has led the way for J&K once again this season, scoring two centuries and three fifties already in a total of 551 runs so far. His contributions have not only provided stability to the batting line-up but have also inspired the side to break new ground in their cricketing journey.

Having already reached his cherished personal milestone, Dogra's journey feels nearly complete—but the ultimate fulfilment awaits. The upcoming match- Ranji Trophy final promises to be a thrilling contest, likely against a formidable Karnataka side packed with Test players. If Dogra and his squad rise to the occasion and play to their strengths, there’s every reason to believe they can turn the tide and claim a historic triumph.

Also Read: Mohammed Shami's 8/90 In Ranji Trophy Semifinal: A Wake-Up Call For India Selectors