(SUBSCRIBERS: This is a column by Parvez Rasool, the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to play for India. It is his view on Jammu and Kashmir’s performance in the Ranji Trophy as the team is on the verge of a historic maiden title. Subscribers may feel free to use the column but must carry the byline of Parvez Rasool)
Just when Yudhvir Singh got the final wicket in Karnataka's first innings, I couldn't stop smiling. Jammu and Kashmir is now set to become Ranji Trophy champions on Saturday. It's no longer a dream, but a reality. It took us nearly seven decades to be called 'National Champions', and finally, the wait is over.
We have all waited for this day for the past decade and a half since J&K started becoming a more competitive side.
There were quarter-final appearances even under my captaincy, and we defeated a very strong Mumbai side. But what Auqib Nabi has achieved for us is beyond imagination.
This is a performance that no one can ignore, and I believe the day is not far when he will be wearing the India colours.
But not just Auqib, credit goes to everyone, from skipper Paras Dogra, head coach Ajay Sharma, players like Qamran Iqbal, Shubham Pundir, Sunil Kumar, Abdul Samad. Everyone deserves credit.
So, how significant is this Ranji Trophy triumph for Jammu and Kashmir? If anyone asks me this question, I will simply state one fact, and it will become clear. The Jammu and Kashmir team has been playing domestic cricket for 67 years, and yet we only have two proper first-class-level cricket grounds in both Jammu and the Valley.
Auqib's house is another 40 kilometers away from my home.
I still remember those days when, for U-16 or U-19 trials, we would have to travel 100 kilometers (up and down) every day. From my place in Bijbehara, I would take an early morning bus and return in the evening. There were days when the bus driver and conductor would refuse to let us travel simply because we had huge kitbags, which would be an issue for other passengers.
Each generation has gone through these hardships, and the fruits of labor taste sweeter than ever.
But as we celebrate this greatest moment in the history of Jammu and Kashmir cricket, it is only fair that we remember everyone who contributed to the growth of the region's cricket with a sense of gratitude.
Today is the day to remember late Bishan Singh Bedi, who was the first to sow the seeds of competitiveness.
Bedi sir was a strict coach, and he was the first to tell us that we needed to compete, not just participate. There was a time when the J&K team would go out and lose every game, and return. It was a defeatist mindset that needed to change, and who better than a world-class performer, a former India captain, to tell us that we had the talent to compete with the top domestic teams?
Bedi sir never entertained any politics on the field. There was a time when factionalism was at its peak. Once, there were two J&K teams that arrived for a BCCI game. But Bedi sir would always tell us, "Your job is to focus on your game and not worry about all these external things. Just concentrate on being the best player that you can."
The age-group level camps unearthed a lot of talented players, who represented the state team.
After Bedi sir, Sunil Joshi sir also did a great job for a brief period, as we defeated Mumbai for the first time when he was the coach. Irfan bhai (Pathan) also worked a lot in grooming players during his time as a player-cum-mentor.
As far as Auqib is concerned, it feels great that he has come this far. I was the skipper back in 2018 when we picked him for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He was brilliant at the age-group level and entered the senior team riding on a brilliant season. In fact, we heard about him for the first time when he scored a century at the age-group level.
The best part about Auqib is his calmness. "Just do your work and go home" is his mantra. He is very introverted and seldom speaks, but he always understands what the captain wants. If someone takes 26 wickets in the quarter-final, semi-final, and final, he has to be special. His batting is much better than a normal tail-end slogger. He is a proper number eight in any team.
This victory will surely allow kids from the region to dream big. This is just the start.
