The promises of transparency and professionalism in Jammu & Kashmir cricket have largely remained lip service. Behind the glossy headlines and grand announcements, J&K’s cricketing landscape is marred by blatant favouritism, systemic conflicts of interest, and administrative high-handedness. From sidelining deserving professionals to mismanaging the state’s premier cricket body, the current dispensation has raised serious questions about its intent and credibility.
By all accounts, the assurances about restoring integrity and professionalism in J&K cricket were hollow from the start. The oft-repeated narrative that "commercialism is taking a back seat and professionalism gaining ground" has been exposed as little more than empty rhetoric. Recent developments confirm that the game has become a victim of personal agendas and administrative capture.
This mismanagement came to the fore on February 8, 2025, when the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match between hosts J&K and Kerala was inexplicably shifted from Jammu to Pune. The move not only denied the home team a clear advantage but also crushed their dream of advancing further in the tournament. J&K, unbeaten throughout the season, had momentum on their side—only to be undone by administrative negligence and internal politicking.
The manner of their exit added salt to the wound. A shocking decision to celebrate the team’s one-run defeat in both Jammu and Srinagar was seen by many as a tone-deaf, insensitive move. The match itself was lost not due to superior opposition but because of inexplicable decisions made by the captain and coach—both outsiders—who handed Kerala a slender first-innings lead after having them nine wickets down and trailing by 80 runs. Insiders claim that a key batsman was benched deliberately to satisfy the coach's inflated ego, a decision that sealed J&K’s fate.
The much-publicized infrastructure promises have also turned to dust. In June 2024, a leading daily reported that JKCA planned to establish a state-of-the-art cricket facility spanning over 10,319 sq. meters in Jammu. Despite BCCI’s approval, not a single brick has been laid. Mithun Manhas’ claims of providing employment to former cricketers and aspirants now appear hollow, as appointments have been monopolized by members of the Jammu Cricket Club (JCC) and close associates from Delhi.
JKCA records paint a troubling picture. Professional assignments over the last four years have consistently been handed to a select few—names like Jagtar Singh, Vidya Bhaskar, Suresh Singh, Guru Pratap, Vivek Khajuria, Vijay Sharma, Vikrant Tagger, Vivek Singh, and others dominate the roster. Incidentally all these beneficiaries are from JCC. While many were simultaneously appointed to both cricketing and purchasing committees like Vikrant Tagger and Vijay Sharma, blatantly violating BCCI guidelines that prohibit such dual roles due to inherent conflict of interest. It is no coincidence that most of the procurement have continuously gone to the same agency for the past four years.
Some former members of JKCA also question the rapid rise of JCC member Vivek Khajuria who was initially appointed as manager on a meagre salary and later his perks were increased manifold, in contrast to denying such out of turn benefits to the hardworking staff who have been working tirelessly and dedicating themselves to their duties over the decades.
Concerns were also raised earlier regarding Mithun's potential conflict of interest and commitment to cricket welfare in J&K. An ONGC employee, he simultaneously held an assignment as assistant coach of the Lucking Super Giants, while receiving substantial benefits from the JKCA. This role raises questions about Mithun's priorities and his alleged dedication to promoting cricket in the region.
Some aggrieved cricketers also allege that Mithun Manhas misused his position by securing payment of his and Majid Yaqoob Dar’s pending dues for representing J&K in the 2016 and 2017 seasons. In stark contrast, the support staff, who were essential to the team's operations, remain unpaid. The Subcommittee's inaction on releasing these payments raises serious concerns about their priorities and commitment to fairness.
The larger promise of reform now seems farcical. Following the Hon’ble High Court’s judgment in March 2021, BCCI constituted a committee of its senior-most officials to oversee JKCA affairs. However, this responsibility was delegated to a sub-committee. A controversial inclusion in this sub-committee was Majid Yaqoob Dar—reportedly pushed by Manhas and his continuity at the positions despite an FIR registered against him under Sections 420, 467, and 471.
The sub-committee was mandated to manage JKCA’s affairs, conduct fair elections, and transfer control to genuine stakeholders. Instead, they have entrenched themselves, making arbitrary decisions and consolidating their hold. One egregious example of the arbitrary actions is their alleged appointments in JKCA which otherwise is the mandate of the elected body and not the care taker arrangement, while in another such action they have forcefully retired few association employees at their whim. Furthermore, they also issued a dictate couple of year ago, prohibiting players from participating in local tournaments, which sparked widespread public outrage. The backlash was so severe that the order had to be hastily withdrawn last year.
Perhaps the most damning evidence of the system’s capture is the farcical selection process for key posts. Interviews were conducted for coaches, selectors, and support staff, but the results were preordained—favouring Manhas’ close circle from Delhi and JCC. Eminent local professionals were sidelined.
One of the most controversial appointments was that of Ajay Sharma as head coach of the senior men's team. While Sharma’s cricketing credentials are impressive, he carries the taint of a life ban for involvement in the 2000 match-fixing scandal—a fact well-documented in cricketing archives. Disturbingly, reports suggest that efforts are now underway to secure his lifetime membership of JKCA to ensure his vote in future elections in the international player category when Sharma is drawing pension from Delhi District Cricket Association.
These actions stand in stark contrast to previous efforts to bring transparency to JKCA. In 2017, the High Court appointed an ombudsman and administrators to conduct free and fair elections. Justice Bashir-ud-Din, the appointed ombudsman, disqualified several individuals and clubs, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court. However, the current leadership has stealthily appointed a new ombudsman, reportedly to pave the way for disqualified individuals to regain entry into JKCA’s electoral process.
The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), formed in 2021 to ensure transparency, met a similar fate. Credible member like Ashwani Gupta was unceremoniously removed, while Abdul Qayoom Baghav remains without making any notable contribution.
Despite tall claims of professionalism, the JKCA under its current dispensation has become a playground for personal interests, nepotism, and questionable appointments, leaving the future of cricket in J&K in jeopardy” said one of the veterans of the game from Jammu.
Meanwhile, JKCA’s coffers continue to drain, but the condition of cricket in J&K remains dire. The sub-committee, entrusted with a temporary managerial role, has shown little intention of stepping aside. Instead, they have institutionalized nepotism and personal gain at the cost of cricket and cricketers.
If stakeholders, cricketers, and well-wishers of J&K cricket do not rise now, this vicious cycle will continue. The game will remain hostage to makeshift committees, riddled with vested interests, and the promise of a bright future for J&K cricket will remain a cruel mirage.