J&K cricket’s journey from JKCA scam to Ranji triumph exposes past corruption: Dr. Abhijeet Jasrotia
Jammu, 06 March 2026: J&K BJP Spokesperson Dr. Abhijeet Jasrotia strongly criticized previous regimes and opposition parties while addressing a press conference at BJP headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, highlighting the journey from the JKCA Scam to Ranji Trophy winners by the J&K cricket team.
Congratulating the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team for their historic Ranji Trophy triumph, Dr. Abhijeet said that the victory is not merely a sporting milestone but a reflection of how corruption, nepotism, and political interference had crippled sports in Jammu and Kashmir for decades.
Dr. Abhijeet Jasrotia said that for years the people of Jammu and Kashmir kept asking why a region rich in sporting talent could never win the Ranji Trophy after independence. “The answer lies in the mismanagement and controversies surrounding the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), where merit was ignored and politics dominated sports administration,” he said.
Referring to the JKCA scam, Dr. Jasrotia stated that although the matter is sub judice and he would not comment on its legal aspects, it is a matter of public record how the association had once reached a pathetic state, leaving young cricketers demoralized and opportunities blocked.
He said that a turning point came after 2021 when Jay Shah, then Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), visited Jammu and Kashmir and took serious cognizance of the deteriorating condition of cricket in the Union Territory. “Following his intervention, concrete steps were taken to clean up the system and rebuild cricket in J&K,” he said.
Dr. Jasrotia highlighted that new cricket turfs were developed in both Jammu and Kashmir and a dedicated team was entrusted with reviving the functioning of JKCA. He credited Brigadier Anil Gupta, Advocate Sunil Sethi, and former international cricketer Mithun Manhas for restoring transparency, professionalism, and merit-based selection in the association.
“Unlike the past where favoritism and nepotism prevailed, the new system in Cricket world, ensured equal opportunities for talented players from both Jammu and Kashmir. The result of that honest and transparent approach is visible today in the form of the Ranji Trophy victory,” he said.
Taking a dig at Omar Abdullah for rushing to congratulate the team, Dr. Jasrotia said that while congratulations are welcome, the same leaders should also explain to the people what role previous political regimes played in pushing JKCA into controversy and disrepute.
Dr. Jasrotia also raised concern over the declining performance of Jammu and Kashmir in national sporting events. He pointed out that the medal tally of J&K in the National Games has fallen sharply from 46 medals in the 2024 Goa National Games to just 25 medals recently, with the ranking slipping from 19th to 37th.
He further expressed concern over the poor performance in the recent Winter Games, where J&K secured only two medals despite having ideal natural conditions for winter sports.
Mocking superficial measures, Dr. Jasrotia said that creating artificial snow cannot substitute real sports development. “Artificial snow may create headlines, but it cannot produce champions. What is needed is talent identification, transparent selection, proper infrastructure, and serious involvement of the sports leadership,” he said and added that the guiding principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” must also be applied in sports to ensure equal opportunities for athletes from both Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr. Jasrotia said the historic Ranji Trophy victory proves that when corruption and nepotism are removed and merit is prioritized, the youth of Jammu and Kashmir can compete and win at the highest level. He congratulated the J&K cricket team and said their success has exposed the failures of the past while opening a new chapter of hope and excellence in sports for the Union Territory.
