Mumbai-based former Jammu & Kashmir pacer Deepak Pandit believes J&K’s maiden entry into the Ranji Trophy final is extra special given the snow factor in the region restricts year-round training.
“It’s really tough to practice throughout the year as there is snow for almost six months in Kashmir. That’s why this achievement [maiden Ranji final entry] is a dream come true for cricketers from the region. J&K have been consistent performers in the last few years, and I have no doubt that we will beat Karnataka in the final [beginning in Hubballi on February 24],” Pandit, who represented the J&K senior team between 1982 and 1988 after coming through the ranks in the U-19 and U-22 age groups besides playing for North Zone, told mid-day after pacer Auqib Nabi’s nine-wicket match haul (5-87 and 4-36) helped J&K beat Bengal by six wickets in the Ranji semi-final at Kalyani on Wednesday.
Pandit, who currently represents the Indian Cricketers Association (ICA) on the Mumbai Cricket Association’s Apex Council, also credited BCCI chief Mithun Manhas for the J&K team’s success. “Credit should go to Mithun Manhas too as he has made a big difference in J&K cricket. Before becoming BCCI chief, he was an administrator [in JKCA] for five, six years during which he worked a lot for the region’s cricket and cricketers. Head coach Ajay Sharma also deserves credit for this achievement,” Pandit concluded.
