New Delhi. When current BCCI president Mithun Manhas joined the management of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) in 2021, he had to set things in order in an organization that was grappling with allegations of mismanagement and corruption. That is why when the Jammu and Kashmir team made it to the Ranji Trophy final for the first time on Wednesday, Manhas became a little emotional.
Manhas said in an interview that when I took over the post of administrator, it was not so easy. The then BCCI Secretary Jai Shah had given me complete freedom and told me to do whatever is necessary to bring the cricket of Jammu and Kashmir back on track. Jammu and Kashmir won by six wickets over two-time former champion Bengal in the Ranji semi-final played in Kalyani.
BCCI President said, my heart is happy
Board President Manhas said, “I was watching the match on TV. It is a big achievement to defeat the Bengal team having players like Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep. The cricketer in me is emotional because I finished my first-class career there and also worked with the state unit. Talking about the team, Manhas said that he knew that there is no dearth of talent in Jammu and Kashmir but there is a need for a proper system there. He said, “I would like to give credit to Brigadier Anil Gupta, who has done a commendable job. When I took over, we organized a talent search competition.
Sabka Saath Team Development
Manhas mentioned his colleague in the BCCI sub-committee which was then handling the Jammu and Kashmir cricket administration. He said, left arm fast bowler Sunil Kumar is the result of that talent search. Having played in Delhi for almost two decades, I knew what was required to be successful at this level. Our cricket committee did a great job with honesty and transparency. Veteran Delhi player Manhas has scored 9714 runs in 157 first-class matches.
got along with the right people
This committee was formed on the instructions of Jammu and Kashmir High Court due to mismanagement in JKCA. Manhas said that his biggest contribution was perhaps inspiring a domestic legend like Paras Dogra to play as a professional player for the state at the age of 41. Dogra is currently captaining the team whose head coach is former Indian player Ajay Sharma. Manhas said, “I have played a lot of cricket with and against Paras. He is a brilliant cricketer and professional player. Paras has played his cricket in Himachal Pradesh, where the conditions are very similar to Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief Minister congratulated wholeheartedly
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah termed the Union Territory’s cricket team reaching the Ranji Trophy final for the first time as a big achievement and congratulated the players on Wednesday. Jammu and Kashmir team created history by defeating Bengal by six wickets in its first Ranji Trophy semi-final and reaching the final of this domestic tournament for the first time in 67 years. Omar also congratulated the team on behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and expressed confidence that the cricketers of this region will soon make their mark at the international level. He told reporters here, ‘On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, I heartily congratulate our cricket team. I hope that the day is not far when we will see players from Jammu and Kashmir playing an important role in the national team. He said that the team’s progress over the last few years is the result of consistent hard work, discipline, coaching and guidance from the support staff.
Omar said, ‘Our team has made great progress. This achievement is the result of the hard work of the players, guidance of the coach and dedication of the support staff. In Ranji Trophy, victory cannot be achieved with the help of one person. This is a victory for our entire team and support staff.