This win will inspire generations to come, says a proud Rasool

Jammu & Kashmir cricket may have hit the fast lane towards success in the last two seasons, but long before that, Samiullah Beigh and Parvez Rasool were firm believers in the region’s cricketers. And for them, Saturday’s maiden Ranji title was an emphatic vindication.

“We have had the belief that we are good enough to compete,” said Beigh, a former captain with 61 First Class caps. “We always had talent. What we didn’t have was the infrastructure to back it.

“A decade ago, when I spoke about how J&K’s fortunes would change if our infrastructure was upgraded, people thought I was bragging. But our belief came from what we saw daily, watching thousands of aspiring cricketers playing.”

Rasool, a veteran of 95 First Class matches and the first cricketer from Jammu & Kashmir to play for India, stated that it was a proud and emotional moment.

“Whoever has contributed to J & K cricket, it is a happy occasion for all of them,” he said. “We are lifting this trophy after 67 years [since our first Ranji campaign]. This win will inspire generations to come.”

Former India and Karnataka off-spinner Sunil Joshi, who followed the legendary Bishen Sindh Bedi as J & K coach in 2014, said that the triumph was proof of the talent pool available in the region.

“Even in the 2014-15 season, we had a good pace attack that could bowl 15 overs spells because of their lung capacity,” recollected Joshi.

“They didn’t need outside talent because they had plenty in their backyard. What they probably needed was technical expertise, mentorship and the guidance to channelise the hunger. Ajay Sharma has done a tremendous job while Paras Dogra brought in vast experience.”