Mumbai: Jammu and Kashmir continued their meteoric rise in domestic cricket as they defeated 40-time champions Mumbai by four wickets in the Ranji Trophy Group A clash at Wankhede stadium here on Wednesday. Former India U-19 player Shubham Khajuria, who scored 107 and 78 in two innings against Mumbai, said the odds were stacked against J&K. “During recent floods in the valley, we didn’t get to eat for six days and had to sleep literally on road. The hardships made us mentally tough,” said Jammu lad Khajuria who was in Srinagar for a local tournament when floods wrecked havoc.
Last season, J&K won four games and qualified for the quarters where they lost to Punjab. Parvez Rasool, who won BCCI’s best all-rounder award last season, said J&K have answered the people who doubted their credentials. “Beating Mumbai at their home is a great achievement. We were doing well in the plate division and our performance has improved steadily over the last two-three years. When we reached elite division, there were people who wondered whether we deserved to be here. We have answered them now,” said the off-spinner who is in the list of probables for the 2015 World Cup.
Rasool also rued his team’s handicap of playing all their matches away in the aftermath of floods at home. “Last season we won three games at home.So it is unfortunate. However, playing away will give the team more exposure,” he added. J&K coach Sunil Joshi, former India spinner, was surprised by Mumbai’s capitulation. “For the first time in two decade, I saw Mumbai batsmen showing vulnerability against pace bowling. On the other hand, our players showed character despite floods hampering their preparations. It is a great moment for J&K cricket,” he said.
Sachin disappoints J&K players
Sachin Tendulkar had a marathon interaction session with Mumbai players in their dressing room after the home side lost to J&K. The cricket legend, however, didn’t meet the victorious side in the adjoining dressing room. “We waited for an hour but he didn’t turn up. He left everyone disappointed,” a J&K player said.
Brief scores
Mumbai 236 & 254 lost to J&K 254 & 237/6 (S. Khajuria 78, Hardeep Singh 41)
