Jammu & Kashmir’s batting struggles have once again raised a serious question: how long can experienced players continue to get opportunities without delivering consistently?
The defending champions endured a disappointing outing against Madhya Pradesh in their Ranji Trophy opener, struggling in both innings and narrowly escaping an outright defeat. While the collapse cannot be blamed on two players alone, the performances of Shubham Khajuria and Shubham Pundir have brought their places in the side under scrutiny.
Khajuria scored ducks in both innings. His first-class average of around 32 across 149 innings also raises questions about his returns, particularly as an opener, a role that demands consistency and substantial contributions.
Pundir, who made his first-class debut in 2015, scored 20 in the first innings against Madhya Pradesh. With an average of 28 across 54 innings, his long-term returns also warrant scrutiny.
Experience alone cannot guarantee a place in the playing XI. In a competitive domestic setup, performance must count for more than reputation or the number of seasons a player has spent in the team.
J&K’s selection policy also deserves scrutiny. There is a concern that a single significant performance, such as a hundred, can sometimes earn a batter an extended run even when subsequent returns fail to justify continued backing. Meanwhile, younger players waiting for opportunities may struggle to break into the side, limiting the team’s ability to assess its batting depth.
The argument is not for dropping players after one bad match, but for evaluating their performances over a longer period and keeping selection competitive.
Some may argue that J&K should avoid major changes so early in the season, particularly after winning the Ranji Trophy last year. Continuity matters, and two matches — the Irani Cup and the Ranji Trophy opener — should not alone determine a player’s future.
However, Khajuria and Pundir have longer records that can be assessed beyond these recent matches. Giving established players a break is not necessarily a punishment; it can provide an opportunity to work on weaknesses while opening the door for fresh talent.
J&K have proved they can win major honours. The next challenge is to ensure that past success does not come at the cost of accountability and competition for places.
