Prayers, plastic bats and delight: A village’s stake in J&Ok’s Ranji triumph | India Information
4 min learnJammuMar 1, 2026 08:02 AM IST
In Kathar village — the final hamlet in Jammu district’s Akhnoor — left-arm pacer Sunil Kumar’s mom, Rekha Devi, stands along with her head bowed earlier than an idol of Vaishno Devi. Outdoors, the beat of the dhol and laughter develop louder.
On Saturday, the J&Ok workforce beat eight-time titlist Karnataka to win its maiden Ranji Trophy on the Karnataka State Cricket Affiliation Stadium in Rajnagar, Hubballi. The historic win has united not solely leaders throughout the political divide but additionally the 2 areas of the UT.
The youngest of 4 youngsters, Sunil Kumar took 29 wickets in eight matches. With a four-wicket haul, he performed a key function in J&Ok’s semi-final win over Bengal.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah poses with gamers throughout the felicitation ceremony after the workforce’s victory within the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 last cricket match in opposition to Karnataka, at KSCA Stadium, in Hubballi, Karnataka, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (PTI Photograph)
For Sunil Kumar’s household, the match was essential. Rekha, her husband Ram Lal Verma, a retired BSF constable, and their neighbours had been glued to the tv since 9.30 am.
“We knew that he performs effectively, however had by no means imagined this uncommon feat,” she says. “He was at all times keen on cricket and used to ask for a bat and ball when he may hardly communicate. I purchased him a plastic bat and a ball when he was 4.
She provides: “We used to ask him to do research as effectively, however we by no means stopped him from taking part in cricket”.
“We knew that he performs effectively, however had by no means imagined this uncommon feat,” she says. “He was at all times keen on cricket and used to ask for a bat and ball when he may hardly communicate. I purchased him a plastic bat and a ball when he was 4.
Sunil first got here into discover when he took eight wickets for a neighborhood cricket membership in Akhnoor in December 2020. Quickly, he started to play different home tournaments corresponding to Vijay Hazare.
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“He was later chosen as web bowler by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR),” his good friend and former teammate Muneesh Sharma says. “Even after his choice by the Jammu Kashmir Cricket Affiliation two years in the past, he would collect the village boys to play cricket with him.”
Congratulating the workforce, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha referred to as it “J&Ok’s best hour”.
“Feelings surging past phrases as I watch our Cricket workforce claiming the Ranji Trophy. To each fierce participant who carved historical past by means of sheer grit; thanks from the whole UT beaming with delight. You will have immortalised historical past – embrace it with honor,” the workplace of Lt Governor wrote on its X deal with.
In the meantime, J&Ok Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who introduced a money reward of Rs 2 crore for the cricketers and assist workers, described the victory as a “watershed second” in Jammu and Kashmir’s sports activities historical past and stated the gamers could possibly be thought of for presidency appointments.
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“The landmark win has crammed the whole area with delight and inspiration,” Chief Minister Omar stated. “The gamers will even be entitled to authorities appointments underneath the lately notified guidelines for excellent sportspersons”.