Jammu and Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi has taken 60 wickets in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season. (PTI)
NEW DELHI: BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia credits Jammu and Kashmir’s Ranji Trophy win to the sub-committee appointed by cricket’s governing body in 2021 to run the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) and a panel led by current BCCI president Mithun Manhas, Brigadier St. Sethil and General Sunhim Guy. in Jammu and Kashmir cricket.In an exclusive interaction with TimesofIndia.com, Saikia reflects on the emotional moment of watching J&K lift their first Ranji crown and traces the journey from administrative turmoil to Paras Dogra lifting the trophy after defeating home powerhouse Karnataka in the final at Hubballi. He cites the emergence of pacer Auqib Nabi as a symbol of domestic cricket’s strength. Saikia also elaborates on the process of identifying talent, the role of grassroots selectors and why no performer goes unnoticed in the current system. In conclusion, he also shared an update on the expected Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 schedule.
Devajit Saikia Exclusive: BCCI Secretary on J&K Ranji win and Aquib Nabi’s future
excerpts:
What was your initial reaction to J&K’s historic victory? Does it sound like a fairy tale?
It is a momentous occasion for Indian cricket as well as Jammu and Kashmir cricket. It was a big moment because a lot came out of it. Every place and every state of the country today is a bastion of cricket under the patronage of BCCI. If you look at the history of BCCI and J&K vis-à-vis, you will see that J&K Cricket Association was in a mess from 2018 to 2020.
Jammu and Kashmir captain Paras Dogra and others celebrate with the tournament trophy after winning the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy final cricket match against Karnataka at the KSCA Stadium in Hubballi, Dharwad district. (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak) (PTI02_28_2026_000333A) (PTI03_01_2026_000561A)
There have been many litigations in the J&K High Court. In this situation, in June 2021, when Jay Shah was the BCCI Secretary, the J&K High Court directed that a committee should be constituted within the BCCI to look after the development of cricket in J&K. Jay Shah made a very firm decision and laid the plan with three persons in hand. This sub-committee was constituted of Mithun Manhas, Brigadier Anil Gupta and Sunil Sethi. This committee worked day in and day out to develop the game of cricket under the supervision of the BCCI.They all also contributed from BCCI. This committee worked very hard and today you see the results. In five years of being the minnows of cricket in India, they are now the Ranji Trophy champions of India. This is a huge leap for cricket in J&K. BCCI is also proud of this journey of J&K.
After J&K’s historic triumph in the state, will we see the emergence of world class facilities?
It is very important to note that there is no such infrastructure in J&K from where they can host international matches. But now the time has come. They gave us a plan with their performance. They said that BCCI should take a major step for the development of cricket in J&K, especially in the area of infrastructure development.We are already working on indoor cricket facilities in J&K. It’s in the plan. But we should have a proper stadium in J&K as well. Wherever they decide, land allocation must be done. This is the call of time.So it’s a big win for Indian cricket today. The way is very clear for J&K cricket as well as for cricket in India as BCCI’s main objective is to develop cricket not only in major venues but also in every corner of the country. States should have proper infrastructure and proper growth of cricket so that the boys and girls there get the best opportunities to hone their talent, come into limelight, build their careers and bring laurels to the country.
Jammu and Kashmir’s Auqib Nabi with his teammates celebrates the team’s victory in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy final cricket match against Karnataka at the KSCA Stadium in Hubballi, Karnataka. (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak) (PTI02_28_2026_000260B)
Auqib Nabi took 100 wickets in two Ranji seasons. Does his success story reflect the importance of domestic cricket and the systems BCCI has built?
He played very well. His contribution was essential to the team’s success. He took five wickets in the quarter-finals, five wickets in the semi-finals and left nothing behind in the final. His magic changed the finale. So everyone takes note.We have mandated our selectors to be present at every Ranji Trophy game. Our selectors were not missing in the final and other matches. I’m sure they did a good job. He was already in the spotlight. Voters take the call.BCCI has set the stage so that no right talent goes unnoticed. Everyone needs to notice. When the selectors are present, they focus only on the performances of the players, which they do extremely well. This is why so many players from small and lesser known places get the opportunity to represent the country.When a player performs well, take Ishan Kishan as an example. He was out of the spotlight for two years. He then performed and was immediately selected for the Indian team. Now you see him progress and contribute to the team’s success.
Will the BCCI introduce a more centralized scouting system to support talent identification beyond state associations and IPL franchises?
At the central level we only have voters. For scouting and other aspects, franchises do their own work. But cricket is essentially national. Each state has its own team. So it comes from the state structure.Every state has its own constitution. There are positions for observers and cricket committees who do this work.As for Nabi, he came from Baramulla. Who put him in this position? Selectors in J&K. The BCCI selector did not bring him. But when he plays domestic cricket and represents his state team, the BCCI selectors oversee the domestic matches. For example, a player from Hubli in Karnataka has to play at the district level first. After that, he will be included in the series of selectors for the zone team and for the national team.
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Do you think BCCI’s restructuring efforts were the key to J&K’s success?
When is the IPL schedule expected to be released?
Please wait two to three days for IPL schedule. We will release it as soon as possible. We know it is late because elections are going on in three or four states like Assam, Bengal and Tamil Nadu. We are waiting for the notification from the electoral authorities. We have to call in a day or two. We will then update you on how we proceed with the IPL.
