Hubballi, Feb 28 (NationPress) Auqib Nabi Dar expressed that Jammu & Kashmir’s historic victory in the Ranji Trophy feels surreal, calling it an “unbelievable” and emotional experience. His remarkable all-round bowling skills throughout the season secured him the Player of the Series award during a groundbreaking campaign for the team.

J&K made history by overcoming eight-time champions Karnataka, gaining a significant first-innings lead in the final and showcasing a commanding five-day performance characterized by discipline, resilience, and pivotal individual contributions.

Reflecting on the significance of this achievement, Auqib acknowledged that the reality of winning is still setting in after playing a crucial role in what is the team's most significant success in domestic cricket history.

“It’s unbelievable since this is our first Ranji Trophy victory. It still feels surreal that we’ve achieved this. When I began my journey with J&K, my aspiration was always to win a trophy, especially the Ranji Trophy in red-ball cricket. We’ve been striving for this for quite some time. There was immense hard work and struggle involved. The entire team collaborated, and we finally secured this prestigious cup,” he stated during the post-match presentation.

Auqib's performance was vital to J&K’s ascent, consistently providing breakthroughs at critical junctures. His pivotal bowling spells, including a remarkable five-wicket haul in the final, established a decisive first-innings edge that ultimately shaped the title clash's outcome.

Discussing his approach in high-tension scenarios, Auqib highlighted his dedication to team success over personal accolades, saying, “My strategy is straightforward, irrespective of the match. I always strive to give my best in every game. Whenever the team needs something, I put in my utmost effort because every match holds significance. Once you reach the knockouts, every match is a must-win. Thus, my mindset is to contribute to the team in any way possible and give my 100 percent.”

His performances resonated with this philosophy, as he emerged as J&K’s ace player, excelling with both the new ball and during crucial middle-phase overs.

Elaborating on his bowling technique and the support system contributing to his success, Auqib underscored the significance of process, discipline, and emotional encouragement from family and fans.

“I try not to overthink the results. My emphasis is on the process. I don’t bowl merely by observing the batter; my focus is to consistently hit the right areas and dismiss the batter to help my team win. My family is overjoyed. They have provided immense support throughout my journey. Without their backing, I wouldn’t have reached this point,” he expressed.

“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to them. I also wish to thank the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their overwhelming support, wishes, and prayers. I am deeply appreciative of all of them. My message is this: even in the face of limited resources and facilities, work hard and stay focused on your goals. Dedicate yourself fully and continue to inspire others through your commitment,” Auqib concluded.