Hubbali, Feb 28 (NationPress) Mithun Manhas, the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), commended the remarkable achievement of Jammu & Kashmir in clinching their first Ranji Trophy title, attributing it to meticulous planning and unwavering confidence. He dedicated this monumental victory to the people of the region and acknowledged the crucial support from institutions and ongoing infrastructure developments that contributed to the team's success.

Jammu & Kashmir etched their name in history by winning the Ranji Trophy after establishing a solid first-innings lead and managing to secure a draw against the formidable Karnataka team in the finals, showcasing a dominant performance over five days.

Reflecting on the transformation of the team, Manhas emphasized that their success was rooted in foundational efforts that began years earlier, particularly spotlighting the leadership role of the BCCI.

“It has been an incredible journey that commenced in June 2021. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the BCCI for their unwavering support, especially to Jay Bhai (Former BCCI secretary and current ICC Chairman). He was the first secretary in 67 years to visit Jammu, assess our situation, and from then on, we made remarkable progress,” he stated.

Manhas showered accolades on J&K's skipper, Paras Dogra, and veteran coach Ajay Sharma, whose experience and guidance instilled stability and confidence in a talented yet developing squad.

“I have always believed in the importance of a structured process and the necessity of having seasoned players. We had an outstanding group of players who have consistently performed well. We’ve showcased our potential in the past, but with Paras at the helm, we gained stability, experience, and calmness, which he brought to the team. Ajay Bhai, with his experience of competing in five finals, significantly contributed to our boys’ growth,” he added.

The title run for Jammu & Kashmir was marked by resilience, overcoming injuries during the finals, with substitutes stepping up effectively under pressure. Manhas credited this composure to a cultural shift within the squad, stating, “The greatest change over the past four years is their newfound belief in themselves, and the rest is history.”

The former domestic cricket stalwart remarked that this victory transcends the dressing room, serving as a source of inspiration for aspiring cricketers and emerging teams nationwide, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir.

“This triumph is dedicated to everyone back home, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, and to all the former cricketers in the region. A big thank you to the BCCI for the support we received. Other teams, like Uttarakhand, have played fantastic cricket throughout the tournament and have also begun to believe in themselves. It’s merely a matter of time; hard work will yield results,” he said.

He added that this victory symbolizes just the beginning of an extensive cricketing journey for the region, under the guidance of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, while also appreciating Karnataka's efforts in a fiercely contested final.

“This is merely the beginning for JKCA, and you can expect much more to come. The BCCI will always be there for all state associations. This tournament is pivotal, and hats off to the Karnataka team for their commendable performance. However, the better team prevailed today, and huge congratulations to JKCA for their exceptional cricket over those five days and all the sessions they dominated. Well done, and I’m thrilled for the boys,” he remarked.

Jammu & Kashmir scripted a historic chapter in Indian domestic cricket by ending a 67-year drought for Ranji Trophy victory with a commanding display in their first final. Facing the daunting challenge of eight-time champions Karnataka, J&K exhibited remarkable composure and consistency, dominating the match from start to finish.

Their disciplined approach with both bat and ball showcased the team’s growing maturity in red-ball cricket, with six of the top seven batters securing half-centuries, including a crucial century from Shubham Pundir.

The bowlers matched the batting effort with equal authority, led by Auqib Nabi Dar, whose seventh five-wicket haul of the season further diminished Karnataka’s resistance and highlighted J&K’s all-around superiority.