On Tuesday, the Ranji Trophy cricket finals being played in Hubballi will feature a first - pitted against the star-studded Karnataka team will be a relative minnow Jammu & Kashmir. The J&K team led by seasoned campaigner Paras Dogra scripted history last week when it defeated Bengal to set up the title clash against Karnataka. Cricket commentators are hailing it as a powerful moment of transformation for the State as the spotlight turns on the raw talent of bowlers like Aaquib Nabi.
Overcoming Bengal by six wickets was no mean feat for a side that has long battled inadequate infrastructure, limited coaching facilities and a shortage of turf wickets at many of its home venues. In the absence of advanced facilities, players have honed their skills on ordinary grounds and matting wickets in small towns and villages across the region – rather ironic when you consider the fabled Kashmiri willow was the very first bat of little master Sachin Tendulkar.
“It is a huge achievement for a team that has long operated without adequate professional cricketing infrastructure,” said Parvez Rasool, the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to represent India in ODIs and T20Is.
He said that although some infrastructure has been developed in recent years, the region was earlier almost entirely devoid of professional training facilities, quality turf wickets and structured coaching systems.
Jammu and Kashmir’s key sports facilities include the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium and Maulana Azad Stadium, with the Srinagar stadium having hosted two One-Day Internationals in 1983 and 1986.
Weak Links
Waheed ur Rehman Parra, MLA Pulwama and former secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, said the Union Territory must prioritise long-term investment in its sporting ecosystem. “J&K needs to invest seriously in both infrastructure and coaching, as both remain weak links in our sports ecosystem. We require more stadiums, better training facilities, proper incentives for coaches, and the establishment of dedicated sports academies,” Parra said. “The focus should shift from merely hosting events to building long-term sporting capacity and nurturing talent at the grassroots level,” he added.
Last month, Sports Minister Satish Sharma said the government is working to establish world-class sports facilities, including modern cricket stadiums in the twin capital cities. He added that the focus extends beyond infrastructure development to nurturing youth talent, discipline and confidence.
During the ongoing Budget session, the government informed the Assembly that ₹137 crore has been released for upgrading sports across J& K. A win in the Ranji finals could well give a much-needed boost.
Published on February 22, 2026