Kalyani (West Bengal), February 18 For the 41-year-old domestic veteran, Paras Dogra, it was a moment after 25 years in the making.
"It's been 25 years... I hadn't played a final before. I'm very happy," said the 41-year-old captain of Jammu and Kashmir after leading his team to a historic six-wicket victory over Bengal in the Ranji Trophy semi-final.
"I didn't bring anything special. The players are very determined, they have the desire to win. I only made a small contribution. It's a very good team. Every day is a new opportunity for me," he said, praising the team's effort.
Having debuted in the 2001-02 season and played in 152 first-class matches for three states, Dogra finally reached a Ranji Trophy final and expressed his emotions with "unbelievable feeling," after witnessing the domestic cricket scene firsthand.
In the same match, Dogra etched his name in the record books, becoming only the second batsman after Wasim Jaffer to score 10,000 runs in the Ranji Trophy.
With over 10,500 first-class runs at an average nearing 50, 33 Ranji centuries, and nine double hundreds, these statistics reflect a career built on consistency across Himachal Pradesh, Puducherry, and now J&K.
However, for Dogra, this milestone was secondary to the team's success.
"I'm just enjoying the game, every day is a new opportunity. Whether it's success or failure, I start afresh every day," he said.
Even in his forties, the tall right-handed batsman sets the tone with sharp fielding and disciplined fitness.
"It's a daily routine... how much you train. Every day I put in effort to stay fit. Consistency is very important, whether it's in practice or in your diet."
Their season began with a heavy defeat to Mumbai, but Dogra insists that didn't dampen their ambition.
"We lost to Mumbai by a significant margin, but there was no doubt in our minds. We always believed we could win the Ranji Trophy," he said.
The disappointment of last season's narrow exit, where they lost to Kerala by one run in the first innings, only strengthened their resolve.
"Last year, we also lost to Kerala by one run in the first innings."
Having moved from Himachal to Puducherry before being approached by Mithun Manhas to lead Jammu and Kashmir, Dogra admitted he hadn't anticipated the chemistry he would find.
"Mithun bhai really wanted me, he called me. They needed a leader. I thought, let's see how it goes. I never thought I would get such a good team. It's all because of his support.”
He also credited the existing core strength.
"They were doing well even before I joined. The team had potential," he added.
On the recipe for success, Dogra said: "If you want to win matches, you have to take 20 wickets. We have five good bowlers who can take 20 wickets. I think we have that strength," he said.
"And we have six or seven others who can also contribute. Our strength is fast bowling."
The approach, he explained, has been rooted in basics.
"We kept it simple -- bowling wicket to wicket and in good areas. It worked for us.”
This clarity was evident again in Kalyani, where J&K bowled out Bengal for 99 in the second innings before chasing down 126 and winning with a day to spare.
Among the standout performers this season has been pacer Auqib Nabi, and Dogra believes his rise has been built on discipline and he would go a long way.
"It's about work ethics and performance. He deserves to play for the country," he added.
