Kalyani (West Bengal), February 18 Jammu and Kashmir captain Paras Dogra, with nine impactful words, encapsulated his 24-year journey, which also mirrored the team's incredible underdog story.
Under his leadership, J&K defied expectations to reach the Ranji Trophy final with a six-wicket victory over two-time champions Bengal on Wednesday.
"Cricket tests you far more than it rewards you," he said after helping the team achieve its first Ranji Trophy final in 67 years.
"We just need to be resilient," he added.
The 41-year-old captain's words reflected not only the match but a career built on resilience, particularly in a season where he helped transform a side considered an underdog.
Starting with Himachal Pradesh in 2001, Dogra played for Pondicherry from 2018-19 to 2023-24, and then joined Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the 2024-25 season, embracing another challenge towards the end of his career.
Since his debut in 2001, he has scored 10,517 runs in 152 first-class matches at an average of over 48, with 34 centuries and 36 half-centuries, including a career-best 253.
A former India 'A' player who featured in unofficial Tests against West Indies 'A' in 2013, Dogra has been one of domestic cricket's most consistent run-getters.
At J&K, he joined a dressing room seeking belief, and this season, that belief turned into history.
"We need to keep pushing. God has written that we will reach the final," he said after Jammu and Kashmir qualified for the final, ending a 67-year wait since their debut in 1959-60.
During the semifinal, Dogra also became the second player after Wasim Jaffer to reach 10,000 Ranji Trophy runs.
"I never thought I would achieve this milestone. I love playing cricket, and with God's grace, I could make 10,000 runs. I'm very happy," he said.
He credited his colleagues and support staff for keeping him motivated at the end of his career.
"Thank you very much. It felt good. I never thought I would do this. But I love this game. I just want to play."
"Definitely, I am very happy and I am also happy that I got to play with such amazing players. The coaching staff, the management, they all support me."
"So, I think we will achieve this."
J&K conceded a 26-run lead after being bowled out for 302, but Dogra insisted there was no panic in the dressing room.
"There were still two and a half days remaining, so the 26-run lead wasn't that significant."
"Because it was a five-day game. We were still positive, focusing on scoring as many runs as possible. But we didn't expect Bengal to collapse so quickly."
Asked if the result had sunk in, he said: "Yes, it did. We were in a good position, so definitely."
Dogra also praised Abdul Samad's counterattacking 82 in the first innings after J&K had lost three wickets early.
"Three wickets fell early. Samad is always positive. So, when you play with him, you don't have to worry about the runs. It was like that, just stay with him, and because of that, I scored runs too."
Keeping it simple: Nabi's mantra
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Auqib Nabi, who followed up his 12-wicket haul in the quarterfinal with nine scalps in the semifinal, along with a crucial 42 at No. 9, kept things simple: to put the ball in the right areas.
"My mindset is to put the ball in the right areas, without thinking too much about the results or the batsman," Nabi said.
"I stick to my area. I don't think about the rest."
On staying positive after conceding the lead, Nabi added: "We were positive throughout because we restricted Bengal well in the first innings. If you look at the last match, there were 600-650 runs scored here."
"So, we were positive that we would restrict them and then chase them down quickly."
He was also asked about his 64-run 10th wicket partnership with Yudhvir Singh.
"We work a lot on batting, especially in the lower order. In the entire season, the last 4-5 players contribute 100-200 runs. So, we focus on that as well."
One bad session cost us: Abhimanyu
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Bengal captain Abhimanyu Easwaran admitted the match slipped from their grasp in a single passage of play as they folded for 99 in 25.1 overs on day three.
"After taking the first innings lead, we were ahead in the game. But in the second innings, we didn't bat well. They bowled really well," said Abhimanyu.
"We should have had a good partnership and taken the game away. But we couldn't do that. That's why the game went away, I felt."
"Yeah, there were definitely positives. But I think we just fell short in one session where the game went away."
"There's always the thought that we could have scored 350-400. But that's gone now."
He picked Sudip Kumar Gharami's superb innings and old warhorse Mohammed Shami's relentless bowling as key takeaways.
"I think the way Gharami has been batting, especially in the quarterfinals and the semifinals, has been amazing to get almost a triple century and then 150 (146) in this game. It was tremendous."
"Shami Bhai has bowled his heart out throughout the season. Getting eight wickets on a pitch like this is never easy. But he has bowled his heart out for the team every time he had the ball in his hand."
