Meet the trio shaping Jammu & Kashmir’s rise in Ranji Trophy

Transformations don’t happen in a jiffy. It takes hard work, discipline, patience, trust — and above all, belief.

Three men shaping the team from behind the scenes — and four relentless years of dedication have played a key role in Jammu & Kashmir’s rise from the fringes to a force to reckon with in the country’s premier domestic tournament Ranji Trophy.

In the 2024-25 season, J&K reached the knockouts, before being pipped by Kerala on the basis of a one-run first-innings lead in the drawn quarterfinal encounter. This season, J&K sits second on the points table, only behind domestic giant Mumbai, after five rounds in Group-D.

It has scored three outright wins, all against former champions: first Rajasthan, then Delhi in its own backyard, and now Hyderabad at home. The only setback came against Mumbai.

The side’s performance over the past two seasons isn’t a fluke. It is the outcome of vision, effort, and faith that a team once defined by mere “participation” could rise not just to compete — but to dominate.

In an exclusive chat with the The Hindu, head coach Ajay Sharma, bowling coach Krishna Kumar, and fielding coach Dishant Yagnik reflected on the team’s rise.

Sharma highlighted the strong start: “Three outright wins already. Honestly, had we not let Mumbai off the hook, we could’ve been on top of the table right now.”

“Look, this is not a fluke — a lot of hard work goes behind the scenes. I’m like the head of the family, and they are like my children. They trust me,” said Sharma.

“This year, everyone is stepping up. There is healthy competition in the group — that’s the sign of a strong team. The self-belief has come, and I’m very happy with how they are shaping up. They’re hunting like a pack of wolves now,” added Sharma.

Krishna Kumar said: “Earlier, certain aspects were ignored, but now everything is professional. Even a small misfield is discussed in meetings. That has made everyone responsible. We’re ticking most boxes.”

Yagnik added: “As a coaching unit — Ajay Sir, Krishna Sir, and I — we are strong believers in process over results. Our sole focus is to play to our potential, irrespective of the opposition. Our aim is clear: break our own past records.”