After a historic run in the Ranji Trophy, Jammu and Kashmir's cricket infrastructure is poised for a significant upgrade, with BCCI president Mithun Manhas revealing that funds will be unlocked once the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) receives government approval.

A New Era for J&K Cricket

Manhas, who previously led the ad-hoc committee overseeing JKCA until September 2023, expressed optimism about the future of cricket in the region. “Everything is ready with forming the state association. They have gone to the government for approval. Once they get it done, BCCI funds will be unlocked to improve the infrastructure in the state,” he told The Times of India. Currently, J&K teams play at Harbux Stadium in Srinagar and the College Ground in Jammu, but Manhas emphasized that work on a dedicated cricket stadium with modern facilities can begin immediately upon approval.

Building from the Ground Up

Since taking charge in 2021, Manhas has overseen a transformation in J&K cricket. With strong support from BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, the ad-hoc committee received both autonomy and financial backing to develop facilities despite not being a fully recognized state body. Under his leadership, red-soil pitches were constructed in both Srinagar and Jammu to help players adapt to diverse pitch conditions across India.

“We used to start our talent hunt programme from April every year and went to every district,” Manhas recalled. Teams were also sent to participate in off-season tournaments nationwide. Looking ahead, the vision includes hosting other state teams through invitational tournaments in J&K to provide local players with high-quality competition.

Grooming Local Talent and Coaches

While veteran Paras Dogra was brought in as a guest player and captain for the last two seasons, Manhas stressed that the focus was never on reliance on outstation professionals. “Dogra’s experience helped these young batters learn to bat for longer periods. But he is the only guest player in the team. We need to give time to the young players to groom into leadership roles,” said the former Delhi captain.

A key pillar of development has been coaching infrastructure. “When I took charge, there was only one NCA Level 1 coach in the state. Now we have close to 40 Level 2 coaches,” Manhas noted, highlighting how this expansion has enabled grassroots talent development across various districts.

Looking Ahead

With administrative formalities nearing completion and infrastructure development on the horizon, J&K cricket stands at the cusp of a new chapter. The unlocking of BCCI funds promises not just better stadiums, but also sustained growth through coaching programs, domestic exposure, and home-grown leadership.