Srinagar/Jammu, February 27 – Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is on his way to Hubballi in Karnataka to witness the historic cricket match, as the J&K cricket team maintained its dominance over Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy final.
J&K advanced to the Ranji final and maintained a lead of 291 runs over Karnataka in the first innings.
People in both Srinagar and Jammu have been closely following the progress of their team, and the smiles on their faces clearly show that the joy extends far beyond the game itself.
"I have neither played cricket nor watched it closely, but when my grandson told me that J&K has reached the Ranji Trophy final, I feel a sense of pride. I am eagerly awaiting our victory in the final match," said Abdul Rashid (74) of Old City, Srinagar.
Others, who are familiar with the game, share this sentiment, though their joy is rooted in their understanding of the sport.
"I have closely followed our players since I was in engineering college. We had talented batsmen like Rouf and good bowlers like Qayoom in the past, but we lacked the necessary training, practice, encouragement, and coaching," said Khwaja Nisar Hussain, a retired chief engineer.
The J&K cricket team's historic qualification for their first-ever Ranji Trophy final in 67 years has been widely praised across the political spectrum, with leaders highlighting it as a victory for the region's spirit and a step towards normalcy.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah congratulated the team on the floor of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, stating that the victory belongs to the entire team and support staff.
Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha hailed the win as a "new golden chapter" in J&K's sporting history, praising the team's grit and courage.
PDP leader, Iltija Mufti, greeted the team while also urging youth to focus on sports and avoid drug abuse, and criticizing the lack of local sports infrastructure.
BJP Leader Altaf Thakur praised the achievement as a testament to improved infrastructure and peace in the region, encouraging society to support the players.
The J&K Legislative Assembly applauded the achievement, with Congress leader Nizam Ud Din Bhat and others acknowledging the historic milestone.
MLA Tanvir Sadiq and spokesperson of the ruling NC said, the need is to keep politics out of sports.
He said the event should be celebrated as a victory for all residents.
The J&K Ranji team, led by Paras Dogra and coached by Ajay Sharma, is poised for victory in the final match, as Karnataka trails by 291 runs in the first innings.