After missing out on selection in last year’s U-19 trials, Sahil, a young aspiring cricketer from north Kashmir, decided to dedicate himself fully to the game. For months, he trained relentlessly without missing a single day. Gym sessions, fitness drills, practice matches and hours in the nets became part of his daily routine.
This year felt especially important. It was his final season in the U-19 category, and he believed he had done everything possible to give himself a genuine chance. All he waited for was the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) trial notification.
Then one day, he came across the announcement online: “U-19 trial dates announced.”
Excited, Sahil immediately began the registration process. He gathered the required documents, filled out the form and sent the application email. Confident that the process was complete, he returned to training and continued preparing for the trials.
A week later, JKCA published the list of eligible players on its website.
Sahil searched for his name repeatedly. It wasn’t there.
“I searched my name almost 100 times. I asked my friends and everyone around me to check as well. I just didn’t know what to do,” he recalls.
Eventually, a friend suggested checking the email he had sent to JKCA. That is when they discovered the issue: Sahil had accidentally added an extra “a” in the email address, meaning the application had not reached the intended inbox.
“Tears popped out of my eyes. I kept asking myself, ‘How can I make such a silly mistake?’” he says.
According to Sahil, he immediately wrote a detailed email to JKCA explaining the situation and also tried contacting the numbers mentioned in the notification and on the association’s website.
“No one responded. I just felt helpless,” he says.
Sahil says the incident left him devastated, particularly because it was his final year in the U-19 category.
“I accept that I made a mistake, but shouldn’t there be some respite? Shouldn’t there be someone who listens to players’ queries at JKCA? Isn’t it an association meant for players?” he asks.
“I couldn’t eat properly for days because I knew how hard I had worked this year, and I was out without even getting the chance to enter the trials.”
Sahil is not alone. KSW was contacted by multiple players who claimed they faced issues related to documentation, communication or technical errors during the registration process for trials.
Among them was Amir, who had applied for senior trials. He says his name was excluded because he forgot to attach his date-of-birth certificate.
“I had attached all my documents, but somehow missed the DOB certificate, and my name wasn’t included in the list. The trial is for the senior category, where DOB is not even an issue,” he says.
Amir says he later visited JKCA’s Srinagar office with the missing document and requested officials to reconsider his case.
“They told me nothing could be done and asked me to contact the Jammu office instead. I made countless calls to numbers I could find and sent emails and messages, but I did not receive any response,” he says.
Earlier, when KSW had emailed JKCA regarding player concerns, the association responded saying, “The Association does not deal with self-styled mediators. The affected players are most welcome to approach the Association with their problems.”
However, several players told KSW that they found it difficult to get clarification or responses regarding issues with their applications.
“I agree I made a mistake by not attaching the DOB certificate, but shouldn’t they at least reply saying something is missing? Or answer calls and messages, even if the answer is that nothing can be done?” Amir says.
Unlike previous years, JKCA now requires players to register through email submissions before appearing in open trials. Applicants are required to fill out forms and attach multiple supporting documents during the registration process.
Some former cricketers and players believe the system may unintentionally create barriers for young aspirants, particularly those from remote areas with limited access to internet facilities and digital resources.
“What does a talent hunt or an open trial mean? It means anyone should be able to come and participate,” a former cricketer told KSW.
“In my view, the process becomes difficult for many young players who may not be familiar with sending emails, scanning documents or completing formal online procedures correctly. Verification can always happen later if a player gets shortlisted, but at least they should get an opportunity to participate in the trials.”
He also pointed to the challenges faced by players from far-flung regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
“In several remote areas, internet access itself remains inconsistent. Small technical mistakes can end up costing players an opportunity before they even step onto the field,” he said.
KSW emailed JKCA with a fresh set of queries regarding the concerns raised by players, including whether there is any grievance redressal mechanism or provision for correcting minor documentation errors during registration. However, no response was received from the association till the time of publication.
KSW has verified the identities and registration details of the players quoted in this report. Names have been partially withheld on request due to fear of reprisal.
