In a move that has stunned cricket enthusiasts, the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) has excluded express pacer Umran Malik from its squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy preparatory camp in Pondicherry. The decision has sparked widespread debate, given Malik's international pedigree and reputation as one of India's fastest bowlers.
The Shocking Omission and Recent Struggles
Umran Malik, whose blistering pace has often drawn comparisons with Pakistani legend Shoaib Akhtar, finds himself on the sidelines despite being a regular feature in the national setup. The right-arm bowler, who was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 75 lakh in the IPL 2025 auction and retained this year, has represented India in 10 One-Day Internationals and eight Twenty20 Internationals. However, his recent domestic performances have failed to inspire confidence.
Malik was part of the J&K squad for the first phase of the Ranji Trophy season but featured in only one match. In that game against Rajasthan in Srinagar, he went wicketless. His form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was modest, with six wickets from five outings. This was followed by his exclusion from the Vijay Hazare Trophy squad, and now, the snub from the crucial preparatory camp. The precise reasons for his continued omission remain undisclosed by the state association.
J&K's Camp Details and Other Squad Changes
The JKCA, in an official statement, outlined the plans for the camp. The team is scheduled to travel to Chennai on January 16, 2026, before proceeding to Pondicherry by bus. The association has strictly mandated that no individual travel is permitted from Chennai to the camp venue. The preparatory camp is designed to help the team acclimatise ahead of the second phase of the Ranji Trophy.
Malik is not the only significant player left out. Senior opener Qamran Iqbal, who scored a memorable century in J&K's famous Ranji Trophy victory over Delhi at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, has also been omitted. In their place, the selectors have included Dikshant Kundal and Kawalpreet Singh, while recalling Umar Nazir and Shubham Pundir to the squad.
Road Ahead for Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir are set to begin their second-phase campaign against Pondicherry at the Siechem Stadium from January 22 to 25, 2026. Their next fixture is against Himachal Pradesh from January 29 to February 1 at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cricket Stadium in Nadaun. Head coach Ajay Sharma will join the squad on January 17.
The team currently holds a strong position in the tournament, sitting second in Elite Group D with 20 points from five matches, trailing only behind leaders Mumbai. The knockout stages of the Ranji Trophy are scheduled to be held from February 6 to 28, making this preparatory phase critical for J&K's ambitions to qualify and progress deep into the competition.
