Rising Kashmir's correspondent Aatif Qayoom has a candid chat with Ranji cricketer Adil Reshi, a cricketing sensation in Srinagar City. Here is what the Ranji cricketer has to say about the cricketing affairs in the valley and especially in the city.

How do you see the present scenario of the game viz a viz it's growth?

I believe the cricket of Kashmir is in safe hands and will touch new heights in the coming years. The game of cricket has gone to the next level in the past 6 years. The cricketers here are working tirelessly for their passion. Currently, we all see that the cricketers from the valley are joining different cricket academies to work on their techniques and want to make it big. Recently, the players of the valley were selected as the net bowlers for the different franchises, which is a positive sign. If the players play with the same passion and enthusiasm, then they will make it to the big stages.

So far, only one Kashmiri player has made it into the national team. Why?

Unarguably, cricket is the most popular sport in India. The sport is played across the country and almost all states and Union Territories produce quality players who perform well on the domestic stage before making it to the national team. We too need to perform well on the domestic stage to receive the call for the national team. India is a large country, and gaining a place in the team is not so easy.

I am confident that if the players continue to work hard, they will make it to the Indian team. All they have to do is be patient and work hard.  If we go six years back, none of the players were able to find a place in the IPL. But now many players are in different IPL franchises.

The local cricket tournaments are more about business than the betterment of the game. How do you see this? 

In my opinion, cricket is a royal game. When you are playing cricket, it's one of the best ways to break barriers of caste, creed, colour and religion. One thing which I would like to add is that the local players are sponsored by different companies like GSI (Gateway Sports Industries), Anthem Sports India, KIS, Crickonnect, and many others which provide them with sports goods.

I would like to request that local organising bodies make it affordable for everyone, organising cricket leagues should be in the interest of promoting local talent.

Umran Malik recently got selected for the national team. Do you believe this would give a positive vibe to the local cricketers?

After Parvaiz Rasool, the second player who played international cricket is Umran.He will inspire the younger generation to play cricket. Umran has become the youth icon and the source of inspiration for the budding cricketers of Jammu and Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir is full of talent and has the potential to achieve excellence in international cricket. Umran has incredible speed, consistency and potential.

Tell us about your inspiration?

In 2001, I started playing for Jammu and Kashmir. At that time, I used to watch the legends of this gentleman's game on TV like Sachin Tendulkar and Virendra Sehwag. I got inspired while watching them. I decided to make a career in cricket and I never looked back. I played first-class cricket for Jammu and Kashmir for many years, and I was the highest run-scorer for Jammu and Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy in 2012-13 and 2013-14.

What is the status of the cricket infrastructure in the city? 

We have very good playing fields available in Srinagar. The local bodies of the valley should bring the renovation and other development to the notice of the Sports Council and JKCA so that they can renovate these playfields accordingly.

Any message for young cricketers? 

I would like to suggest the young cricketers work hard and take guidance at the stadium from senior cricketers. Young cricketers can improve when they take guidance from a proper cricketer. One can do practice anywhere, but players need to take training under a senior player to improve their skills.