Srinagar, Oct 1: BCCI president Mithun Manhas on Thursday assured the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) of the Board’s full support in developing cricket infrastructure in J&K and bringing more high-profile matches to the region.
Speaking to reporters after the first day of the Irani Cup between J&K and Rest of India at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, Manhas said the return of a match of this level to Srinagar after nearly four decades was a matter of great happiness.
“I would like more matches to take place here. This level of match is taking place after almost four decades, so it is a matter of great happiness that such cricket has returned to the Valley,” Manhas said.
He said the BCCI would continue to support the JKCA in its efforts to organise matches on a larger scale, including international fixtures, but stressed that adequate infrastructure would be essential for hosting such games.
Asked about the possibility of T20 matches being held in Srinagar, Manhas said building basic infrastructure remained a prerequisite.
“It is important to have basic infrastructure, which has not been built yet. The new body that has been formed recently has the same hope that its prerogative will be to build a stadium here. I give this assurance on behalf of BCCI that they will have our full support,” he said.
Manhas also called for cricket infrastructure to be developed across the wider region, saying stadiums should not be limited to Srinagar and Jammu.
“It is the responsibility of the state association. It is their prerogative that the stadium should not only be built here but also in Jammu, Kashmir, Rajouri-Poonch and wherever their jurisdiction extends,” he said.
“We should definitely have grounds there and try to have stadiums in both Jammu and Srinagar. As I said, they will have the full support of BCCI.”
Manhas said the emergence of J&K as Ranji Trophy champions and their participation in the Irani Cup demonstrated the talent available in the region.
“This is a boost to talent, and that is why you are the Ranji champions and you are playing in the Irani Cup. It has been a very good presentation by J&K today,” he said.
Referring to the opening day, on which J&K bowled Rest of India out for 237 before reaching 21 for two, Manhas said the second day’s play would be important in determining the direction of the contest.
“You will see that tomorrow’s session will be very important, how both the teams play, and after that there will be some clarity as to which direction the match will go,” he said.
Manhas also praised the work done in J&K cricket in recent years and recalled the period when the BCCI administered the JKCA.
He said the BCCI’s support, particularly under former secretary Jay Shah, had helped provide direction to the region’s existing talent.
“From June 2021 to 2025, BCCI was running it and they played this cricket in a very good way. The kind of performance that JKCA did in that era is commendable,” Manhas said.
Giving credit to Shah, he said, “Especially Jai Shah ji, who was the first secretary who came to J&K. He saw every detail and gave his full support to the sub-committee so that they could do something for the children.”
“We already had talent, and we just needed to give it a direction. When you see a player’s confidence, the result is in front of you. Ranji Trophy has become a champion.”
Manhas also praised the current JKCA administration and expressed hope that it would continue supporting players and cricket in the region.
Asked what message he had for aspiring cricketers from the region, Manhas pointed to the example of J&K pacer Auqib Nabi, who recently earned India selection.
“The message is very simple. Be sincere with yourself. Do hard work,” he said.
“Recently, you saw that Auqib Nabi was selected, and it definitely proves that you can be from anywhere. He is from Baramulla. If you see his story, it is a very inspiring story.”
Manhas said players who have not yet come into the spotlight should continue working towards their goals.
“If you are talented, hardworking and if you have passion, then you will definitely take the country forward,” he said.
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