The Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar is set to host the Ranji Trophy after a long gap of six years in October this year.
This season, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to hold the Ranji Trophy in two phases– the first phase beginning in October, hence allowing J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) to host a few matches of the premier tournament in Srinagar, where hosting games in January isn’t feasible due to inclement weather.
In the last many years, Jammu has hosted almost every home fixture of J&K senior and junior teams due to both the weather in Kashmir and JKCA’s lack of efforts to bring back cricket to Kashmir.
The last time the picturesque Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium, situated in the middle of vibrant Srinagar city, hosted a Ranji Trophy encounter was in November 2018 between J&K and Tripura. A huge number of cricket enthusiasts thronged to watch this match amid extreme cold conditions.
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The cricket enthusiasts of Valley would finally get a chance to witness a Ranji Trophy fixture– given that JKCA allows entry to fans–as J&K will play its first match against Maharashtra at the SK Stadium from October 11.
J&K will play three matches at home, two in Srinagar and one in Jammu. The second match scheduled at Srinagar will be held between J&K and Services from October 26.