The minnows winning Ranji Trophy – the premier domestic cricket tournament. They had been knocking at the doors, in the backdrop of booming guns and bomb blasts and more seriously divided Jammu, and Kashmir regional identities, by reaching the semi-final stage twice in the recent past. But the final accomplishment came in 2026.

It is a big statement on the sporting firmament of Jammu and Kashmir, and on a broader Indian canvas where cricket is a religion of a different variety. The victory has multiple dimensions not only for the demoted, divided and bruised Union Territory but the nation as a whole. This victory in itself has many dimensions – sporting, political, economic and above all social.

All those viewing or reviewing, or relating the historic victory to a mere emergence out of the booming gun culture thereby committing the blunder of ascribing it to only Kashmir, are ignorant of the complexities of Jammu and Kashmir’s multilayered identity crisis. Capping this was Jammu versus Kashmir regional divide which one, being a native and a student of Jammu and Kashmir’s general and political history, can say empathetically with pride, has been dealt a deadly blow by the shining Ranji Trophy. Given the chequered history of JKCA smarting under regional biases and political hegemony, winning Ranji Trophy has set it on a new course.

There were times, this I am saying from my personal experiences, when selection of Ranji Trophy team used to be purely on regional and sometimes on religious lines, with complete domination of one region and favouratism at its peak. Clearly, the sufferers used to be the young talented cricketers from both regions who had no godfather.

The JKCA was always starved of funds with cricketers travelling in third class or general compartments of trains to play matches in the country and never used to be sure about their next meal. The political leaders though keen to head the JKCA (or capture it) did little to help the cause.

Well, in this backdrop a recent statement by the Indian cricket star and currently a commentator, Irfan Pathan, who at a stage was coach and mentor of Jammu and Kashmir team, throws ample light on the real bane of the J & K cricket. The biggest problem, according to him, he faced was the selection and then division within the team on regional basis. It was a Jammu versus Kashmir team facing other sides.

The credit to take the bull by the horn singularly goes to that boy from once far-flung picturesque Bhalessa village of Chenab Valley (in Jammu region) who, apart from his cricketing exploits and successes, has gone on to become president of the BCCI, the supreme body controlling cricket administration in the country. It was no mean achievement for him as well as J &K.

The current BCCI chief Mr Mithun Manhas had yet set his eyes to not only reform the very system which forced him to seek his cricketing future in Delhi, but ensure Jammu and Kashmir became the champion. He has made cricketing history in more than one way.

It will be naïve not to mention another champion, in his own right, a former cricketer who like Mr Manhas, was given a roughshod treatment by the JKCA of the time. And finally, he also ended up in Delhi.

Mr Ajay Sharma, the head coach of Ranji Trophy winning team, belongs to village Panthal ensconced in the holy Trikuta Hills (housing Vaishno Devi shrine). He was convinced by Mr Manhas to accept this challenge, which he, after initial hesitation and refusal, accepted. And what Manhas-Sharma combo ultimately achieved is history but not without the support of the BCCI.

Their biggest achievement, leading to the ultimate victory, was motivating and convincing the players from two regions to overcome inhibitions, offload the baggage of regional rivalries, and think afresh about the game in their personal interest and in the context of Jammu and Kashmir. The plan worked successfully and the outcome is for everyone to see.

Two very significant factors need to be discussed here in the light of J&K’s new found success story. And these factors have a political shade, as much one would have liked to keep politics out of this context it is hard to do so. The scintillating victory has a message for political and administrating managers of the Union Territory.

Firstly, a regional divide has always suited vested political interests in Jammu and Kashmir. It has also been a potent weapon in the armoury of Delhi also. But it in no way suits people of Jammu and Kashmir and more importantly the national interest. A regional unity, which can even override strong shades of communal divide, as reflected in the performance of the cricket team, which vested interests have been successfully thwarting from time to time, could perform wonders even in uprooting terrorism. The Ranji Trophy win has proved this beyond any doubt. It should be an eye-opener.

The cricketing stars Auqib Nabi, captain Paras Dogra, Abdul Samad, Yawer Hassan, Shubham Pundir, Sahil Lotra, Abid Mushtaq and others, were a combination that represented almost every district of the Union Territory. It was not a proportional representation, but all of them were selected on merit which they have immensely proved.

Secondly, and even more importantly, this model has a direct message for the political leadership, cutting across political parties, in Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi. They must shun the divisive trends, and realise that bright future lies in unity and cohesiveness both in terms of achieving new heights (as happened in Ranji Trophy victory) and fighting adversities.

Divisive politics could have brought personal dividends to some political leaders, both in Delhi and J&K, it has harmed the erstwhile state and its people in all respects. The Ranji Trophy victory holds a flame of hope high and all stakeholders particularly the political leadership must uphold this moment and carry the spirit forward.

All credit to Team Mithun Manhas that include head-coach Ajay Sharma, support staff and cricketing stars who came from all sides of Jammu and Kashmir. Last but not the least, it is understandable it would not have been possible without the support of BCCI, even before Mr Manhas became its CEO.

‘United we stand and divided we lose’-The Ranji Trophy victory for Jammu and Kashmir conveys this message in emphatic terms. Let this opportunity be not lost, more in the overall context and welfare of J &K and its people.

© Greater Kashmir