From no structure to Ranji Trophy glory: Manhas on J&K's rise

Mithun Manhas spent four years closely involved in the development of cricket in Jammu & Kashmir before assuming office as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) last year. Hours after J&K scripted history by lifting the Ranji Trophy for the first time, he spoke to Cricbuzz.

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As a giant of domestic cricket giant, how do you look at the J&K win?

It is a proud moment for the entire state. I think a lot more boys and girls will take up cricket after this achievement. And you will surely see the rise of J&K in the coming years.

What kind of steps were taken for J&K to get to this level?

Well, the journey started way back in 2021 when a sub-committee was appointed. There was no structure. Nothing was being done at the grassroots level. We were facing difficulties at every level. So the whole structure had to be revamped because there was nothing in place. We put the structure in place and got the ball rolling. Then a lot of camps were held. A lot of turf wickets were prepared. We were doing well on black soil wickets, but we were struggling when we played in the West Zone and the South Zone. So we introduced red soil turfs and prepared turf wickets in Jammu. Now we have about 10-15 red soil turf wickets and about 10 black soil wickets.

The same was done in Srinagar. So we strengthened the structure. The best part was what the sub-committee did - we started playing with SG balls that are used in tournaments, so that the boys get a proper feel of what they are going to use in the national games. That has helped us a lot. Every year from April, we start with a talent hunt. We go to each and every district of J&K and Ladakh, and we try to tap the talent. All our scouts move across the regions, and whoever they feel has potential and is talented, we pick them up. Then we create a pool and train them, making sure they stay fit throughout the year with multiple camps and clinics happening simultaneously.

When I joined (the sub-committee), unfortunately we had just one or two Level 1 coaches. You will be glad to know that we now have more than 40 Level 1 and Level 2 coaches. Complementing them are physios, trainers, and umpires. We worked on the entire system. Everything was changed. Then we started sending teams from J&K to play their tournaments. It is mandatory to play in the Buchi Babu tournament before the start of the first-class season, and that is what we do.

Can you identify a few specific factors that may have contributed to this success?

There are no one or two single factors. It's a collective effort. And you keep on improving. I don't think J&K has peaked yet. There is a lot more to do. And I think what we lack is infrastructure. We don't have stadiums there. You will be surprised to know that whatever little we have is the Jammu College ground, where we play, whereas other (state) teams have four or five grounds. They have stadiums, IPL matches happening in those stadiums - everything is there.

It has been a tough ride. There is one stadium in Kashmir, and that too does not belong to us. So yes, we lack infrastructure. The rest of the things have been taken care of. I would like to thank Jay (Jay Shah) Bhai, who was the then BCCI secretary, and who made a great effort to come to Jammu.

He was the first secretary from the BCCI to visit Jammu after a span of 67 years. Once he saw the ground realities, there was no looking back. Whatever we needed to create and to take these boys forward was given to us. So I would like to thank him and the BCCI for their continued support. Of course, we were not happy with the quota system of 8 and 8 [players from Jammu and Kashmir]. What we wanted was a talented, disciplined young boy who was eager and wanted to play for the country to come forward - and that is what we did.

How did you bridge the gap between Jammu and Srinagar cricket wise?

I don't think so. It might appear like a regional divide, but when it comes to cricket, it is about tapping the right talent and bringing the right kids to the fore. It is a simple thing - you pick the best talent, you nurture them, and performance should be the only criteria. That's all.

Were there difficulties?

Yes, of course there were difficulties. There were people who wanted to push their own players. But once you organise enough games and make performance the sole criterion, that changes everything. Otherwise, we won't be able to compete with the best in the business - and that is what we wanted to do.

We played a lot of matches - all the age-group teams and all the senior teams. We played about 30-35 games before going into the season, and that gave them a lot of confidence. We are backing them, and we have consistently backed them. Earlier, what used to happen was that if a player failed in one or two games, he would be dropped. The same was the case with women's cricket. But now that is not the case.

We back them because we know they are talented. It is just a matter of time, and they will excel. And that is what the boys have shown. I think they played exceedingly well in the final - not only in the final, but also in the quarter-final and the semi-final. They dominated all the sessions in the final, throughout all five days.

We have beaten the top teams at their home grounds, I think - starting with Mumbai, Baroda, and Delhi, and for that matter, Madhya Pradesh. Then Bengal, and now Karnataka. The best part about the boys is that when you support them, they start believing in themselves. And once that belief comes in, the tide begins to turn. That is exactly what has happened for J&K cricket. I am glad that I was here (in Hubbali) at that time, and to be a part of history is a great feeling.

How do you rate Auqib Nabi? What makes him special?

I think it is his consistency - his clarity of mind and the way he goes about his business. He is very meticulous. He understands the conditions, he understands the wicket, and he knows what will work best for him. That's Auqib Nabi for me.

How difficult was it to bring Ajay Sharma as coach, given his background and everything?

Well, I think he has played five finals. He has been around and has been a top player in the domestic circuit. His inputs have been very useful to our batters. The best thing about him, I think, which he has learnt over the years, is that once you become a coach, it's all about the players. He has been working hard on that, and I am glad things have worked out for him as well.

What went behind the decision-making process?

Well, batting has been a concern because the bowlers have taken the limelight in J&K, and we have superb bowlers. We wanted to utilise our bowlers' potential to the fullest, so we had decided to play on greener tracks, because that was our strength. But we needed someone with the right background when it came to batting - a domestic giant who has played a lot of finals, so we could handle the pressure.

What's next for J&K now?

J&K is already on the rise. It's not just in first-class cricket - if you look at their journey over the past three to four years, they have qualified for the knockout stages in different age groups seven or eight times, whether it is sub-men's cricket or men's cricket. So, J&K cricket is definitely on the rise, and I am sure you will see many of them playing for the country, scoring runs, taking wickets, and winning all the premier tournaments.

Are you hoping their selectors will consider some J&K cricketers for the national team also?

Well, it's their job. It's entirely their decision. What they feel about an individual. It's all about the combination when the selectors make a team.

Is there a chance that J&K women replicate men's success?

Well, they have been playing good cricket. I think in the coming years, you will definitely see. Women have done well in the last 3-4 years. Whether it's the under-15 team or the senior women's team, they have made their mark. They are a force to reckon with. And I am sure you will soon see them winning trophies.