On Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir defeated Bengal by six wickets at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground in Kalyani, securing their first-ever Ranji Trophy final. BCCI President Mithun Manhas expressed his elation at witnessing this historic achievement.
"I want to be honest, it's a very satisfying feeling because of the effort that has gone into this, starting from June 2021. First of all, I would like to give credit to the BCCI and especially Jay (Shah) bhai, for their support. The way he believed in me and supported me as the director of cricket in JKCA has taken J&K cricket to a new level."
"Before that, we hadn't achieved anything because once the JKCA came under the BCCI's umbrella, things started to improve. I think the credit also goes to the players, for their performance and resilience. It's remarkable that we don't have a proper stadium in Jammu, yet we have managed to reach this far. It's a testament to their hard work."
"I would like to congratulate all the cricketers who have dedicated their lives to J&K cricket, even without adequate facilities and support. It's crucial for us to perform well in the final, as it will have a positive impact on J&K. Hats off to all of them, and thank you to the BCCI for their support."
Before becoming BCCI President, Manhas was a member of the sub-committee tasked with revitalizing the JKCA, which was facing challenges due to mismanagement and corruption. Key changes implemented by the sub-committee included the introduction of a grassroots talent hunt.
This initiative has yielded positive results, as seen in Sunil Kumar's impressive performance, including taking four wickets and bowling out Bengal for 99 in their second innings, paving the way for J&K to chase down 126 on the fourth day.
"Even though we don't have a ground in Jammu, and we still play on a college ground, the BCCI's support has been instrumental. Now, J&K has red soil wickets. We have about 10 red and black soil wickets (in Srinagar and Jammu). We have been practicing with SG Test balls. We started the talent hunt in April and play cricket throughout the year."
"Sunil Kumar is a product of the talent hunt. He comes from a small village, and the players, including the girls, have faced many challenges. But I believe this will change the situation in J&K. Hopefully, we will have more stadiums. At least, we will have four or five grounds and one or two stadiums in J&K," added Manhas.
When Vanshaj Sharma sealed the historic victory for J&K with a six over Mukesh Kumar's head, both the cricketer and the administrator felt the emotion.
"I was watching. Actually, my father is not well, and I just told him to go to the hospital, and I'll follow him. I just wanted to see this historic moment. So, it's a great feeling, and I can't express it in words. Even my mother called to talk about this historic moment."
Manhas, who returned to cricket as a coach-cum-player after being denied selection due to what he described as political interference, emphasized the transformative impact of the BCCI's involvement.
"The best thing that happened to J&K was its integration into the BCCI. We had the freedom to operate, even though I had faced criticism for appointing Ajay Sharma and Paras Dogra as coach and captain.
"I supported the players and stuck with them, as we didn't want any changes. Normally, there are at least 30 or 40 players playing in a season in J&K. But that has been stopped now, and it's all merit-based.
"Now, we play in Buchi Babu, JP Atray, and other tournaments. Other teams come to J&K to play, and that's how we select teams. The whole system has been revamped, and I'm glad the boys have done it. They have put in a great effort, and I must congratulate them and the staff – Ajay Sharma, bowling coach P Krishna Kumar, fielding coach Dishant Yagnik, and the whole management, including Majid Dar, the Srinagar guy who's been helping us.
"He's been taking care of the ground in Srinagar, and he's been very supportive. Then in Jammu, Brigadier Anil Gupta, who's been handling the administration, has been excellent, and he's well-supported by Vivek Khajuria there.
"They have toiled day in, day out, and everybody has played their part – the CAC, Abdul Qayyum, Vidya Bhaskar, Meenu Salathia. It's a very emotional feeling when J&K beats all teams – home and away – to enter the final. It's really a satisfying and proud feeling for everybody. All in all, a great effort, and these things will help me to stay stronger and take J&K as well as Indian cricket to the next level."
Looking ahead, Manhas made clear that this milestone represents just the beginning. "It's not only for me, but also for the players who have been playing cricket since J&K has been associated with the BCCI. It got affiliation in 1957 and played its first Ranji Trophy game in 1959-60. Since then, J&K cricket has come a long way.
"But yes, the aim is still to win the Ranji Trophy, have an international stadium, and host international games in J&K. This will change the whole scenario. The fight continues until we get girls and boys from J&K into the Indian team. Hopefully, we'll see the superstars and role models coming through the ranks from J&K.
"A lot of boys and girls that take up cricket are looking at them, and I feel that will be a great achievement. All of this is just the start, and hopefully, God will be kind to us, and things will go in the right way."
He also reserved special praise for current ICC Chairman Jay Shah, who, as the BCCI Secretary, helped Manhas in being the driving force behind the rise of J&K cricket.
"I must thank Jay bhai for this because he was the then secretary when the JKCA sub-committee was formed. Everybody tried their level best that I should be thrown out of JKCA because I didn't listen to them. It was all cricket and cricket for me, but the way he supported and backed me was immense because he believed in me.
"I played so much of cricket, and he knew I could do things and force a turnaround. I called him up and thanked him for that, and I think he's the man who's been instrumental for women's cricket as well. When I said, 'We have to do something for the girls', he said, 'Yes, you must do work for the rise of women's cricket'. Not only in other parts of the country, but in J&K as well.
"He would say, 'Whatever the BCCI can do, we're there to help you', and he supported me all out because if you don't get the support, it's hard to do things. When you have that support and you have the backing of the board behind you, things do work."
J&K will now await their opponents, Karnataka, in the Ranji Trophy final to be played from February 24 to 28, with Manhas dreaming of more achievements for the side.
"If you do the right things, somehow you manage to cross the line. I don't know how, but sometimes you don't see where you're heading, but you have faith in the almighty God. Then when you do the right thing, and something or the other clicks.
"When people who are trying to put you down, you just come and rise up again, and things happen. The people also back in J&K, they want the team to win, and it's their blessings as well. All in all, everything has worked out well for J&K so far, and hopefully, things will be better in the future as well," he concluded.
