Srinagar, August 2: The Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association’s (JKCA) announcement of its senior squad for the upcoming multi-day practice matches against the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU) has once again ignited debate over the alleged regional imbalance in selections, with only six players from Kashmir finding a place in the 22-member squad.
The two practice matches, scheduled to be held at the Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, Srinagar, from August 10 to 17, are part of JKCA’s preparations for the forthcoming BCCI domestic season. According to the official schedule, both teams will report on August 8, August 9 has been earmarked as a practice day, while the two matches will be played from August 10-13 and August 15-17, separated by a rest day on August 14.
However, it is the composition of the squad—not the fixtures—that has become the talking point among cricket followers across Jammu and Kashmir.
Only Six from Kashmir
Out of the 22 players selected, only six are from the Kashmir Valley:
Auqib Nabi (subject to availability), Lone Nasir Muzaffar, Qamran Iqbal, Umar Nazir, Waseem Bashir and Yawer Hassan
The remaining members of the squad belong predominantly to the Jammu region, along with experienced guest player Paras Dogra.
For many observers, the numbers reinforce a pattern they believe has persisted over the last several years, where Kashmir’s representation in senior JKCA squads has remained disproportionately low despite the Valley’s strong cricketing ecosystem.
The question now being asked is whether even these six players will all find a place in the playing XI during the two practice matches.
Concerns Persist Despite an Elected JKCA Body: The issue of regional representation is not new.
Ever since BCCI’s administrative restructuring of JKCA, much of the association’s functioning—including camps, administrative offices and cricketing activities—has increasingly shifted towards Jammu. Critics argue that the same trend has reflected in team selections across senior and junior categories.
Many within Kashmir’s cricketing fraternity had hoped that the newly elected JKCA body would usher in a more transparent and balanced approach to cricket administration.
Instead, the latest squad announcement has revived concerns that little has changed.
Support Staff Composition Also Under Scanner: Questions are also being raised over the composition of the support staff.
According to the official order issued by JKCA, the coaching and support team comprises:
Ajay Sharma – Coach, Punit Singh Bisht – Coach, Pawan Kumar – Trainer
Abhijeet Singh Thakur – Physiotherapist, Irfan Ashraf – Camp Incharge & Liaison Officer
Some stakeholders believe that support staff appointments, much like player selections, should reflect balanced regional representation and merit.
Kashmir’s Strong Cricket Base
Cricket observers point out that Kashmir continues to produce a large pool of talented cricketers through its competitive club structure, district tournaments and local leagues.
The Valley has also produced several players who have represented J&K with distinction and have gone on to play in the IPL and other national competitions.
Given this depth of talent, many argue that having barely one-fourth of the senior squad from Kashmir does not adequately reflect the region’s contribution to J&K cricket.
Calls for Greater Transparency
The latest squad announcement has renewed calls for JKCA to make its selection process more transparent.
Former cricketers, club officials and cricket enthusiasts have repeatedly demanded that selections be based solely on performance, fitness and merit, with clearly defined selection criteria made public.
Transparency, they argue, would not only build confidence among players but also eliminate recurring allegations of regional favouritism.
Fear of Losing More Talent
There is also growing concern that continued dissatisfaction could result in more talented cricketers leaving Jammu & Kashmir to represent other domestic teams.
Recent years have already witnessed several prominent players opting to play outside J&K in search of better opportunities. Such departures, many believe, are a warning sign that deserves serious attention.
If deserving players feel overlooked repeatedly, the long-term impact could be detrimental to the state’s cricketing future.
A Test for the New Administration
While it is still early in the tenure of the newly elected JKCA administration, many stakeholders believe this is an opportunity to rebuild confidence among players across both regions.
The association’s handling of future selections, transparency in decision-making and equitable opportunities will be closely watched by the cricketing fraternity.
For now, the announcement of a 22-member squad with only six Kashmir-based players has once again brought the issue of regional balance in J&K cricket into sharp focus.
Whether JKCA addresses these concerns in the coming months could significantly influence the confidence of aspiring cricketers and the overall health of cricket in Jammu and Kashmir.
