JAMMU, Aug 4: The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) marked a milestone in the region’s cricketing history today, celebrating multiple national-level selections, especially Auqib Nabi’s Team India call-up and selection of JKCA players in North Zone team for Duleep Trophy, besides key appointments that underscore the state’s growing contribution to Indian cricket.
A proud moment for J&K came with Auqib Nabi’s selection to India’s national squad for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. In a second major achievement, six players — along with two standbys and three support staff members, including the head coach — were chosen to represent North Zone in the prestigious Duleep Trophy. The North Zone side will be led by JKCA nominee Kanhaiya Wadhawan.
Officiating JKCA President Desh Rattan Dubey, Secretary Vivek Khajuria, Joint Secretary Wajahat Majeed, and CAC member Meenu Singh Slathia jointly congratulated the players and support staff on their accomplishments. They praised the athletes’ dedication and the association’s development programs, and extended best wishes for their continued success at higher levels of the game.
The event also honoured Rajesh Dhar, who recently served as Administrative Manager for the Indian team during the Afghanistan series, in recognition of his service to the sport. JKCA welcomed former India pacer Siddharth Kaul to the association as its newly appointed bowling coach. Kaul — son of former first-class cricketer and Team India trainer Dr. Tej Kaul — was greeted warmly by the JKCA fraternity.
Speakers at the celebration highlighted JKCA’s recent achievements and reiterated the Association’s commitment to player welfare, infrastructure development, and strengthening coaching pathways across the region.
The speakers also expressed their gratitude to BCCI President Mithun Manhas for his exemplary leadership and pivotal role in advancing the Association during his tenure as Director of Cricket Operations and Development, JKCA.
The gathering concluded on a festive note with distribution of sweets and warm felicitations. Notable attendees included Rohit Malhotra, Rakesh Chopra, Vikrant Taggar, Sameer Khajuria, Kavaljeet Singh, Manish Angral and Manisha Gupta.