Srinagar: It has been phenomenal Ranji Trophy campaign for J&K this season with team managing to remain unbeaten in Elite Group-A , cruising into quarterfinal and crushing giants like Mumbai, Baroda on its way.
Though it has all been a team effort with almost everyone contributing here and there but mostly it has been bowlers led by Auqib Nabi and in batting one and only ever dependable Shabham Khajuria.
When J&K took on star studded Mumbai, everyone termed it a battle between J&K pacers and Mumbai batting, which mostly was the case. But one important thing that almost everyone missed was the batting by Shubham Khajuria in both the innings and the contributions from Abid Mushtaq and rookie Yawer. In a match where star Mumbai batters struggled apart from all-rounder Shardul Tahkur , Khajuria went on to score 53 and 45 run knocks to give J&K a solid start in both the innings.
Overall this season Shubham Khajuria has been phenomenal for J&K in all formats but in prestigious Ranji Trophy, he has been in the form of his life. Khajuria stands at No.9 in run getters list this season with 663 runs from seven matches with the average of 55.25. His highest score this season is brilliant 255 run knock while as he has also scored four fifties. In the match Baroda, Khajuria scored 6 & 94 run knocks. He also took three wickets in the match. Overall in the quarterfinal vs Kerala, Khajuria has to play strong role if J&K want to make history by going into semifinal.
Shubham Khajuria: Ranji Trophy 2024-25
Matches: 7
Runs: 663
Highest: 255
Average: 55.25
Fifty: 4
Apart from Khajuria, among others who have made decent contributions in J&K campaign is Abdul Samad. He was brilliant in the initial phase of Ranji season but was mostly absent in the crucial matches against Mumbai and Baroda.
Abdul Samad in Ranji Trophy 2024-25
Matches: 6
Runs: 393
Highest: 127
Average: 43.67
Centuries: 2
In batting, inclusion of youngster Kanhaiya Wadhwan in the squad has been a revelation so has been that of Yawer. Apart from that Vivrant has contributed very average but Abid Mushtaq has been contributing down the order so has been Aquib Nabi here and there. But only disappointing thing has been Total Failure of outside J&K cricketer who is playing as guest player and made captain, Paras Dogra. However, these J&K Cricket Association temporary officials have been crediting Dogra for the J&K’s Ranji Trophy heroics with the veteran himself contributing nothing with the bat, just captaincy. So No Worries, Let These JKCA Self Obsessed Administrators be obsessed with nonexistent performance of that man.
Riding on Bowling Success:
While Shubham Khajuria has been leading batting, it is the pacer Aquib Nabi who has led the bowling department by emerging out as Top 3 bowler in the entire Ranji Trophy season this year. Following closely him have been Yudhvir Singh, Abid Mushtaq and senior pro Umar Nazir.
The stats of all these bowlers have been brilliant and it wouldn’t not be fair to miss early contributions of Rasikh Salam as well, who missed the later part due to injury. J&K has always been a pace hub, but lately after the emergence of Parvez Rasool spinners have also stepped up and in the current generation that will be Abid Mushtaq.
Auqib Nabi:
Auqib Nabi this Ranji Trophy season has led J&K campaign in pace department. In the overall wicket list of Ranji Trophy he stands at No.3. However, among pacers in Auqib Nabi has emerged as highest wicket taker in entire Ranji trophy with 38 wickets in 7 matches with the superb average of 13. He has 5 five wicket hauls this season and 2 four wicket hauls, which sums up his season. His strikerate of 27 is best among the lot this season.
J&K bowling has been revolving around him this entire season and he hasn’t disappointed at all. Auqib not been in IPL 2025 despite having a superb season with the ball, is a mystery and gives an idea that Domestic Cricket value nothing for the IPL franchisee think tanks.
Auqib Nabi Ranji Trophy 2024-25
Matches: 7
Wickets: 38
Average: 13
5 wkt hauls: 5
Abid Mushtaq:
A left arm spin all-rounder has been phenomenal with both bat and ball for J&K this season,. In a team with full of pacers, Abid Mushtaq has made a space for himself and has been performing consistently in all formats. This season in Ranji Trophy Abid has been brilliant with both bat and ball, taking wickets regularly and scoring runs at crucial junctures. Who can forget Abid’s runs in both the innings of Mumbai match and hitting winning runs. In the 7 Ranji matches played, Abid has taken 23 wickets at an average of 22. His innings of 44 and 32* vs Mumbai were match winning innings and would be remembered for ages. In the highest wicket takers list Abid stand at 40th place.
Abid Muhstaq Ranji Trophy 2024-25
Matches: 7
Wickets: 23
Average: 22.91
Yudhvir Singh: A tall lanky right arm pacer, Yudhvir is making a name for himself. After some heroic performances in the IPL, the Jammu lad gave out performance of his life against star studded Mumbai in Ranji Trophy to led J&K to a big win. He is improving day by day and looks completely a different bowler to what he was when he first joined J&K some years back. In the Mumbai game, Yudvir emerged out as player of the match with match figures of 4/31, 3/64 and 20 runs. Overall Yudhvir has taken 22 wickets in 6 matches for J&K this season with an average of 19.68.
Yudhvir Singh Ranji Trophy 2024-25
Matches: 6
Wickets: 22
Average: 19.68
Umar Nazir: A veteran of 59 first class matches hasn’t been regular in J&K team this season, courtesy JKCA apathy. However, whenever he was given opportunity he has performed and his stats speak for himself. Though he got into limelight by getting the prized wicket of Team India captain Rohit Sharma in first innings of Mumbai game, it has been the overall performance in only four matches this season that one should look into. Umar has used all his experience to make a strong comeback and emerge out as amoung the best bowlers in the Ranji season with average and terrific strikerate. In only four matches, Umar has taken 17 wickets with the average of 14.11. In the match vs Mumbai, Umar took 4/41 and 2/79 to leave out a lasting impression. In the quarterfinal vs Kerala, the experience of Umar will come handy for J&K as the Kerala side is filled with veterans and experience.
Umar Nazir Ranji Trophy 2024-25
Matches: 4
Wickets: 17
Average: 14.11
Overall J&K would be favorites vs Kerala in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal at MCA Cricket Stadium, Gahunje, Pune. Unlike past when J&K merely sneaked into the knockouts, this time they have emerged out as favorites. They were unbeaten in the Group Stage and emerged out as topper. They are against Kerala side who were second in their group behind Haryana. Overall, J&K is filled with more performers and stars this time and it is once in a lifetime opportunity to make it to the semifinal and ahead.
Note: I may have missed some crucial performances as the season was long and separated into two halves. But what I not missed is the self praise of temporary JKCA Administrators. For the record, this current bunch of Ranji Trophy performers are those players who came mostly during Irfan Pathan phase except Yudvir Singh who got into team thanks to current admin. Rest it is all filled with players who came before they emerged into JKCA scene. So don’t think you have any contribution in it. If you want to take credit, just take a look at other performances in junior level. Also don’t forget other campaigns senior team as well. If you take credit when they do well, then have courtesy and stomach to take criticism chin on when they don’t well.