Pulwama: The Jammu and Kashmir cricket team’s 2024-25 Ranji Trophy campaign was nothing short of extraordinary. From stunning victories against domestic powerhouses to heart-breaking moments that tested their resilience, J&K’s journey captured the imagination of cricket fans across the country. Though their campaign ended in a quarterfinal exit against Kerala, their performance throughout the season established them as a rising force in Indian domestic cricket.
J&K started their season steadily with two hard-fought draws against Maharashtra and Odisha. These opening matches laid the foundation for what would become one of their best seasons in history. The team then found its rhythm, storming through the group stage with five consecutive wins, securing their place in the knockouts in dominant fashion.
Their first major statement came with a crushing victory over Services, winning by an innings and 25 runs. They followed it up with commanding performances against Meghalaya, Tripura, and Baroda. However, the defining moment of their campaign came when they pulled off a sensational win against Mumbai, the most successful team in Ranji Trophy history.
Defeating Mumbai in their own backyard was a dream moment for J&K cricket. Facing a side boasting international stars like Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, and Shreyas Iyer, J&K’s bowlers dismantled Mumbai’s legendary batting lineup.
Pacers Auqib Nabi, Umar Nazir, and Yudhvir Singh wreaked havoc, bowling Mumbai out for just 120 in the first innings. J&K responded with a determined 206, securing an 86-run lead. Mumbai tried to fight back in the second innings, with Shardul Thakur’s brilliant 119 and Tanush Kotian’s 62 giving them a glimmer of hope. But J&K’s bowlers held their nerve, restricting Mumbai to 290. Chasing 205, J&K’s top-order wobbled slightly, but Shubham Khajuria (45), Yawer Hassan, Vivrant Sharma, and Abid Mushtaq ensured a famous five-wicket victory.
This was only the second time J&K had beaten Mumbai in Ranji Trophy history, the first being in 2014-15 at Wankhede Stadium.
With five consecutive wins, J&K topped Elite Group A with 35 points, setting up a high-stakes quarterfinal against Kerala at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. The contest turned into a battle of patience and nerves. J&K posted 280 in their first innings, only for Kerala to respond with 281, gaining a slender yet crucial one-run lead. J&K’s second innings was a display of determination, as they declared at 399/9, setting Kerala a target of 399.
On the final day, Kerala, starting at 100/2, needed 299 to win but chose to defend instead. J&K’s bowlers kept pushing, with Yudhvir Singh Charak, Sahil Lotra, and Abid Mushtaq taking key wickets. At 209/6, J&K seemed to be on the brink of victory, but Kerala’s Mohammed Azharuddeen (67*) and Salman Nizar (44*) dug in, frustrating the bowlers for nearly three hours. Their unbeaten 115-run partnership for the seventh wicket denied J&K the breakthrough they desperately needed, and the match ended in a draw. Kerala advanced to the semi-finals on the basis of their first-innings lead—just one run—bringing J&K’s dream campaign to an agonizing end.
Despite the heartbreak, J&K’s players showcased exceptional talent, with individual performances that will be remembered for years. Fast bowler Auqib Nabi created history by becoming J&K’s highest wicket-taker in a single Ranji Trophy season. His tally of 40 wickets in just eight matches at an astonishing average of 12.80 broke the previous record of 38 wickets set by former J&K skipper Parvez Rasool in the 2016-17 season.
Nabi’s fiery spells played a crucial role in J&K’s dominant group-stage run. His best performances included a match-winning 4/41 and 2/79 against Mumbai, a stunning 6/53 against Services, and a crucial 3/33 and 2/8 against Odisha. Though he went wicketless in the quarterfinal, his impact on J&K’s season was undeniable.
Umar Nazir Mir also proved to be a key player, making valuable contributions with the ball. His standout moment came against Mumbai, where he took 4/41 in the first innings, which included the prized wicket of Rohit Sharma, and followed it up with 2/79 in the second, helping set up J&K’s historic victory. His spell of 6/53 against Services further highlighted his ability to deliver in crunch moments.
Sahil Lotra stunned everyone with his 11-wicket haul (4/26 and 7/75) against Baroda, securing their place in the knockouts.
On the batting front, Kanhaiya Wadhawan played a crucial role, delivering consistent performances under pressure. His innings of 71 against Baroda and 84 in the second innings were instrumental in setting up victories. As a wicketkeeper-batter, his contributions behind the stumps were equally valuable. Shubham Khajuria led from the front, with crucial knocks like 94 against Baroda and 45 against Mumbai providing J&K with strong starts. Yudhvir Singh was another star with the ball, taking key wickets at vital moments, while Abid Mushtaq’s all-round abilities made him a game-changer on multiple occasions.
Jammu and Kashmir’s cricket journey has been one of steady growth. The team made its Ranji Trophy debut in 1959-60 and secured its first victory in 1982-83. Their first knockout qualification in 2001-02 was a milestone, and they have since repeated the feat in 2013-14, 2019-20, and now in 2024-25. This season, however, was unique—despite their quarterfinal exit, they remained unbeaten with five wins and three draws.
Dr. Rouf ur Rafiq, a sports enthusiast from Pulwama, called it J&K’s best season since 2019. “The team played as a unit, showing exceptional skill in all departments—bowling, batting, and fielding. Their victory against Mumbai was a landmark moment,” he said.
