For the first time since 2015, J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) is all set to host its first Ranji trophy match as J&K take on Tripura at Sheri-Kashmir Cricket Stadium (SKCS), Sonwar, Srinagar here on November 20.
J&K would be playing its third Ranji trophy match of the season against Tripura at SKC stadium from November 20 to 23. It will be first time since 2015 that Kashmir would be hosting a Ranji Trophy match. Last Ranji trophy match played in J&K was in way back in 2015, when J&K played against Kerala and the match ended in a draw.
Now that Sheri-Kashmir cricket stadium is fully ready and GGM Science College Jammu ground also on course of completion, JKCA gave its nod to BCCI for hosting cricket matches at various levels, at both its Srinagar and Jammu venues.
“All arrangements are in place and we will be hosting first Ranji match in three years at Sheri-Kashmir stadium. It is a great news for cricket fans of Kashmir as they would be able to watch matches,” said JKCA official.
In the national cricket arena, given the availability of requisite infrastructure, all the states host their home matches in all the age categories including senior category. Given the fact that the players are used to the surface on home grounds besides enjoying the support of local crowd, playing on home ground is always advantageous to the host team on any day.
In absence of standard cricket fields, during the last two seasons both the junior and senior cricket teams of J&K were forced to play all matches outside the state, thereby devoiding its team of home ground advantage.
Ranji Trophy (2018-19) started on November 1 and J&K played its first match in Jaipur against Rajasthan while as the second was played against Goa, in Goa.
A senior player in J&K team said that they would love to play their matches on home venues this time around. For the third match, team would be heading back to Srinagar to host Tripura.
“To have home advantage while playing your four-day Ranji trophy match is a big thing. It changes everything and home teams always have an upper hand. Besides, absence of travel in case of home matches helps prepare well and the playing conditions always are helpful for home side. We would love to play our first match on home soil after 2015,” he said.