Why was Umran Malik excluded from Jammu and Kashmir's Ranji Trophy squad?
Synopsis
In a surprising move, fast bowler Umran Malik has been left out of Jammu and Kashmir's squad for the Ranji Trophy preparatory camp. What led to this decision, and how will the team respond? Dive into the details of this unexpected change and what it means for the players involved.
Key Takeaways
Umran Malik excluded from Jammu and Kashmir's Ranji Trophy preparatory camp.
The team will train in Pondicherry starting January 16.
New players Dikshant Kundal and Kawalpreet Singh have been added.
Jammu and Kashmir is currently second in Elite Group D .
Head coach Ajay Sharma will join the team on January 17.
New Delhi, Jan 10 (NationPress) Fast bowler Umran Malik has been excluded from the Jammu and Kashmir squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy preparatory camp, which is scheduled to take place in Pondicherry. Malik, who has represented India in ten ODIs and eight T20Is, was part of the squad for the initial phase of the Ranji Trophy but managed to play just one match against Rajasthan in Srinagar, where he failed to take any wickets.
In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Malik participated in five matches, capturing six wickets, yet he was not included in the squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Notably, opener Qamran Iqbal, who scored a century during Jammu and Kashmir’s remarkable Ranji Trophy victory against Delhi at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, has also been excluded.
The JKCA has welcomed Dikshant Kundal and Kawalpreet Singh into the fold, while Umar Nazir and Shubham Pundir return to the team. Jammu and Kashmir will kick off their second phase of the Ranji Trophy against Pondicherry at the Sichem Stadium from January 22-25. Ajay Sharma, the head coach, will join the squad on January 17.
Following this, they will face Himachal Pradesh from January 29 to February 1 at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cricket Stadium in Nadaun. The knockout stages of the Ranji Trophy are set to occur between February 6-28. Currently, Jammu and Kashmir holds the second position in Elite Group D, trailing behind Mumbai, with a total of 20 points from five matches.
“To ready the J&K team for the tournament and help the players acclimatize, the management has decided to send the team to Pondicherry. The players and the support staff will depart directly for Chennai under the arrangements made by the JKCA on January 16, 2026, from their respective locations.
“Subsequently, the team will travel by bus from Chennai to Pondicherry, organized by the Cricket Association of Pondicherry. Individual travel from Chennai to Pondicherry is prohibited,” stated the JKCA.
The Jammu and Kashmir squad for the Ranji Trophy preparatory camp includes: Shubam Khajuria, Dikshant Kundal, Yawar Hassan, Paras Dogra, Abdul Samad, Shubham Pundir, Kanhaiya Wadhwan, Kawalpreet Singh, Abid Mushtaq, Vanshaj Sharma, Sahil Lotra, Auqib Nabi, Yudhvir Singh, Umar Nazir, and Sunil Kumar.
Point of View
The exclusion of Umran Malik from the Jammu and Kashmir squad reflects strategic decisions made by the team management. This approach showcases a focus on team performance over individual accolades. As the Ranji Trophy approaches, the team's coherence and synergy will be vital for their success.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Umran Malik left out of the squad?
Umran Malik was omitted due to his limited participation in the Ranji Trophy, where he played only one match without taking any wickets.
What is the Ranji Trophy preparatory camp?
The Ranji Trophy preparatory camp is a training session for teams to prepare before the tournament, focusing on skills and team dynamics.
Where is the Ranji Trophy preparatory camp held?
The camp is set to take place in Pondicherry.
Who are the new players included in the squad?
Dikshant Kundal and Kawalpreet Singh have been included in the Jammu and Kashmir squad.
When does Jammu and Kashmir begin their Ranji Trophy campaign?
Jammu and Kashmir will start their campaign against Pondicherry from January 22-25.
