Stuns formidable Bengal in their own den
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In a thunderous display of grit and glory, Jammu & Kashmir’s cricketers have rampaged through the Ranji Trophy elite group like a Himalayan storm unleashed, storming into the finals for the first time in over four decades and etching their name into the annals of Indian domestic cricket history.
Defying odds, skepticism, and the biting chill of winter pitches, this ragtag band of warriors-led by unyielding batsmen and fiery pacers from the Valley and beyond-dismantled giants with sheer willpower, scripting a saga that transcends sport to ignite regional pride. Their campaign pulses with the unquenchable spirit of a resurgent J&K, poised on the brink of a trophy that could redefine legacies and roar their rampage into immortality. Jammu & Kashmir’s stunning Ranji Trophy resurgence has electrified India’s domestic circuit, transforming a perennial underdog into a knockout-stage powerhouse. Gritty comebacks, match-winning knocks, and unyielding resolve are no longer flukes-they’re the hallmarks of a masterful blueprint blending visionary leadership, merit-based selection, and relentless preparation. Spearheading this revolution is Mithun Manhas, former Director of Cricket Operations and Development at the JKCA and now BCCI president-elect. A stalwart of J&K and Delhi Ranji teams with IPL pedigree, Manhas has instilled unwavering continuity, nurturing a stable core of talent from chaos to consistency. This triumph owes much to the JKCA’s dedicated team: Administrators Brig. Anil Gupta (Member-Administration) and Vidya Bhaskar (Member, Cricket Operations and Development); CAC Members Abdul Qayoom, Vijay Sharma, and Meenu Singh Slathia; Selectors Sarabjeet Singh, Dhruv Mahajan, and Arshad Bhat; Coaching Staff led by Ajay Sharma, P. Krishnakumar, Dishant Yagnik, Sunny Kumar, and Chirag Pandya; and the full management under Hilal Ahmed Zargar and Ravi Sharma, skipper Paras Dogra, supported by the JKCA media team. Salutations to all for scripting this landmark chapter in J&K cricket’s ascent. Meanwhile, resuming from overnight score of 43/2, J&K rode on a superb batting display by Vanshaj Sharma and Abdul Samad and achieved the target comfortably by losing 4 wickets, thus winning the match by 6 wickets.
Vanshaj remained unconquered on 43 off 83 balls, studded with 4 fours and one six. He showed true character, serenity, patience and solidity in his unbeaten innings, while Samad, who scored explosive 82 in the first innings, again shone with the willow, contributing power-packed 30 off 27 balls with one four and 3 massive sixes. Shubham Singh Pudir scored valuable 27 off 58 balls with 5 boundaries.
Akash Deep was the most successful bowler for Bengal, who captured 3 wickets by conceding 46 runs in his 15 overs, while Mohammed Shami, who captured 8 wickets in the first innings, also claimed one wicket in J&K second essay.