We all know what the Indian Premier League (IPL) did to world cricket. It changed how the game of cricket is both played and consumed, especially in India. The success of the league has been so huge that now even the state units across India are setting up their own leagues. But then there is the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), which is killing whatever little local cricket is held in J&K.
Major state associations like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Mumbai, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Saurashtra and even the lesser-known states like Andhra Pradesh, Odhisa, Kerala and Rajasthan are conducting their own IPL-styled T20 leagues. This is being done to ensure new talent gets a platform. Every year we see how unknown players–who don’t even play for their respective associations– are recognised through these leagues and then they go on to play IPL.
However, things are only getting worse in Jammu and Kashmir, where there is no dearth of talent. JKCA has banned its players from playing any local cricket tournaments in J&K, hence making the growth of cricketers almost impossible.
This year, JKCA issued a notice that players would be allowed to take part given the tournament organisers seek proper permission. While it seemed a welcome move, the implementation of this move hasn’t been smooth.
KSW understands that JKCA is asking local organisers to conduct 50-over tournaments in order to get permission, which is quite tough given that locals handle everything in organizing tournaments in J&K without any support from JKCA or the government. Even tournaments that are being conducted on quality turf wickets in good stadiums are facing issues in getting JKCA’s nod.
JKCA’s idea is bizarre in itself. While one of the sub-committee members is seen coaching different T20 franchises throughout the year, asking locals to focus only on longer versions of the game lacks logic. It somehow indicates that JKCA doesn’t want cricket to flourish in J&K.
Disallowing the state-level players from not playing local cricket hampers the players, organisers and the budding talent. The players — most of whom are unemployed– lose an opportunity to earn some money, organisers fail to give fans an enriched experience and budding talent doesn’t get an opportunity to share the dressing room with the national players and learn a thing or two.
There seems to be no logic behind why JKCA is stopping players from playing local cricket. KSW spoke to a bunch of these cricketers and they all feel it’s an injustice to them and the overall cricket development of J&K but they are afraid to raise their voices against the powerful JKCA.
KSW has reached out to JKCA several times for a comment on what their thinking behind this move is, but unfortunately, no response has been received.