J&K’s maiden Ranji win

There is a touch of irony in the fact that three Delhi cricketers have played a leading role in the remarkable triumph of Jammu and Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy, the national cricket championship, which they achieved by beating eight-time champions Karnataka on first innings lead in the final at Hubballi on Saturday.

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For nearly fifty years J&K, who made their debut in the 1959-60 season, were the whipping boys of the North Zone, with Delhi and the other teams in the then-zonal format feasting on them, guaranteed full points.

It was the late legendary captain of Delhi and the national team, Bishan Singh Bedi, who first instilled the confidence in them that they were capable of beating the best. His stint lasted only two seasons, culminating in taking them to the knockout stage for the first time in the 2013-14 season, where they lost in the quarterfinals, before he quit in protest at the alleged mismanagement in the state association.