The ET GenAI Hackathon 2026 has announced the results of its Idea Submission phase, with the shortlist finalised after evaluating entries from more than 54,000 builders across India. Shortlisted teams now advance to the Prototype Development Phase
The fast-expanding war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has captured global attention largely because it is disrupting oil and gas supplies from the Persian Gulf. Yet another resource is now emerging as far more critical to the survival of the region’s societies. Water
Indian technology stocks have seen an unprecedented rout over the past few weeks over fears of artificial intelligence upending the traditional outsourcing model that powers the country's $300bn (£223bn) back-office industry. The sell-off - part of a global correction in traditional software and
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Monday managed an easy victory in the biennial polls to five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar, with its candidates including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP national president Nitin Nabin
Star Brazilian forward Neymar didn’t receive a call-up to the national team squad for the upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, although striker Endrick found a spot. With this snub, Neymar’s hopes of playing at the upcoming FIFA World Cup have received a massive blow
If one wants to explore the many debates and controversies surrounding the Congress and its role in shaping India’s political trajectory, there may soon be a new address in the capital to turn to. At 3, Safdarjung Lane, the official residence of Nishikant Dubey — the Bharatiya Janata Party MP
Chelsea have been handed a Premier League record fine of £10.75m and a suspended transfer ban. It was a result of the club making secret payments to unregistered agents and third-parties over transfers between 2011 and 2018. But it could have been a lot worse
Iran’s National Security Chief Ali Larijani on Monday penned a note to Muslim countries, questioning their lack of support for Tehran as the US-Israeli war is now entering its third week with no clear end in sight, disrupting global energy supplies and raising fears of a spike in global inflation
In season of Jammu vs Kashmir politics, why cricket team reaching Ranji finals sends a message
For the first time in 67 years, the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team will play in the finals of the Ranji Trophy, India’s premier first-class domestic cricket tournament.
On Tuesday, the team will take on Karnataka in the finals to be played in Hubli.
Whatever be the outcome of the match, in a sharply divided union territory, the team’s journey this far carries a symbolism that goes beyond the cricket pitch, observers told Scroll.
The team’s success comes in the backdrop of a series of controversies and calls to split Jammu from Kashmir that, many feel, have deepened the divide between the two regions. “The team’s victory has sent the message of unity,” said Dr Rameshwar Singh, an independent Member of Legislative Assembly from Bani constituency of Jammu’s Kathua district.
The team’s victory on February 8 against Bengal in the Ranji Trophy semi-finals was lauded on the floor of the Jammu and Kashmir legislative Assembly. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while congratulating the team, said, “No one wins [matches in] the Ranji Trophy on their own.”
While the team was training for its matches in January, an unseemly controversy erupted in Jammu and Kashmir.
Protests led by a group of nearly 60 organisations allied to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh against the admission of Muslim students led to the shutting down of a newly set up medical college in Katra.
This was not an isolated case of polarising Jammu versus Kashmir politics.
In December, the Jammu and Kashmir government had been forced to order an inquiry into the selection of the football team for Santosh Trophy after several groups in Jammu, including the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress, alleged that footballers from the region were being discriminated against. Of the 20-member team selected for the competition, only one player was from Jammu.
Weeks later, similar objections were raised against the selection of the under-14 boys’ cricket team of Jammu and Kashmir for the 69th National School Games. Since the 16-player-team had only three players from the Jammu region, the selection had invited a lot of criticism and allegations of bias on social media.
Even a proposed National Law University in Kashmir has become a flashpoint between the two regions. The Bharatiya Janata Party has led protests to demand that the law varsity be set up in Jammu instead of Kashmir.
The Jammu and Kashmir Ranji team, with four players from the Valley and 14 from Jammu, fortunately escaped such attention. “Thankfully, this team and the process behind its selection did not come to the notice of politicians who do Jammu versus Kashmir politics,” said Singh, the legislator from Bani. “Otherwise, leave alone reaching the finals, this proud team would not have existed in the first place.”
In Kashmir Valley, many shared Singh’s observations. “This victory is a setback to all those forces who want to divide Jammu and Kashmir on the basis of religion,” said Sarfaraz Wani, a lawyer in Srinagar, who practices in the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. “When it comes to sports, there is no question of caste, religion or region where you come from. All that matters is talent. Wherever we appreciate merit, we will prosper. Otherwise, we are bound to suffer.”
Led by Himachal Pradesh batsman Paras Dogra, the team has been drawn from across Jammu and Kashmir, and includes a player from Uttarakhand. Of the 14 players from Jammu, five are Muslims.
The team’s success has been driven by some stand-out performers.
Take, for example, 29-year-old right-arm pacer Auqib Nabi from North Kashmir’s Baramulla district. This season, Nabi has taken 55 wickets – the first bowler from Jammu and Kashmir to have picked up 50 wickets in a single Ranji season.
Supporting him on the other end in the bowling department is Sunil Kumar, a 28-year-old left arm pacer from Jammu’s Akhnoor area. Kumar bagged 29 wickets in the season.
Averaging nearly 60 this season, Abdul Samad, a middle-order batsman from Jammu’s Rajouri district, has been another star for the team.
Former cricketers in the region attribute the success to the team’s commitment, hard work and mindset developed by past players.
Parvez Rasool, Jammu and Kashmir’s first cricketer to represent India at the national level, said the turning point in the team’s mindset came around 2010s when the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association asked legendary Indian spinner Bishen Singh Bedi to coach the team.
“Until then, the Jammu and Kashmir team would just participate,” said Rasool, who led the Ranji side for six consecutive years before he retired last year. “When Bedi Sir came, he motivated us to compete, even if we ended up losing.”
In the 2013-’14 season, J&K’s team made it to the quarter finals for the time. In the previous season, Rasool emerged as a star all-round performer, making 594 runs and picking 33 wickets. In 2014, Rasool made his debut in the Indian Premier League. The same year, he debuted for India against Bangladesh. “My inclusion in the national team and IPL was a strong motivation for the youngsters in the team to believe that they can also do their best,” he said.
The Jammu and Kashmir might be underdogs going into the finals with Karnataka, but Rasool said he is not surprised with the team’s performance this season. “If you see, we have consistently reached the stage of quarter finals in the previous seasons,” he said. “This success is the result of a long process and hard work. It didn’t happen in one day.”
According to Singh, the MLA from Jammu, the fact that the team remained insulated from Jammu and Kashmir’s divisive politics was perhaps a boon. “Before the recent victory, nobody, not even the politicians, were following the team’s performance,” he added.
The Jammu and Kashmir divisions of the erstwhile state have rarely agreed on matters economical or political. More so since 2019, when Jammu and Kashmir was stripped of its statehood and special status. While Jammu had celebrated the loss of protections to land and jobs for natives, the annulment of special status remains a deeply unpopular move in the Valley.
Anmol Ohri, a climate activist and journalist from Jammu, says J&K’s Ranji performance shows the role sports can play in bridging the gap between two regions. “Definitely, there are differences between the two regions,” he said. “For that, we have to talk to each other and not let someone exploit those differences. Sports, art and culture can help us have a conversation,” he said.
Viewing college admissions or the composition of sports teams through the divisive lens of religion or region would not be in favour of Jammu and Kashmir, he added. “It will always be counter productive,” said Ohri. “For example, after the closure of Katra medical college recently, there were many voices within Jammu which said shutting down the medical college entirely is not beneficial for the region. Maybe those voices didn’t come out in a coordinated way but there’s a strong feeling of displeasure against the shutting down of the college.”
A former Ranji cricketer from the Valley said Jammu has traditionally had a dominant say in the selection as well as the management of the team. “But when you are a player and there is a professional environment within the team, things like religion, region or caste take a backseat,” he said. “You play as a team and what matters is talent and performance. Nothing else.”
Rasool agreed. “I have captained this team for six years and I have never seen any division around the lines of Jammu versus Kashmir,” he said. “For a sportsman, these things don’t concern him.”
Source: Scroll
Related Posts: Impose 50% duty on US apples to save Jammu and Kashmir horticulture 21 Feb & the politics of remembrance India-US trade deal an attack on Apple and other farmers in Kashmir Politics Heats Up Over Senior Kerala Congress MLA K Babu steps down from electoral politics West Bengal’s Yuva Sathi frenzy turns poll season electric White Lotus season 4 BJP MLA claims Kashmiris ‘illegally occupying land’ in Jammu Fresh snowfall transforms Kashmir valley Kashmir apples at risk
Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi expressed strong displeasure over Dr. Asif Nazar being considered for the Lahorighat Assembly ticket, citing Nazar's alleged association with an individual charged in an attack on Bordoloi. Bordoloi wrote to AICC General Secretary Jitendra Singh
5 hours ago
A sessions court in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district on Monday convicted five persons and acquitted 35 others in connection with a 2016 case in which seven Dalits were assaulted in the town of Una, The Indian Express reported. Additional Sessions Judge Jignesh Pandya of the court in Veraval
5 hours ago
It's Hollywood's biggest night. The 98th Academy Awards featured emotional speeches, comical relief and a bevy of backstage fun. But it was perhaps a night to forget for Timothée Chalamet. As well as losing out to Michael B Jordan for best actor and One Battle After Another for best picture
5 hours ago
US President Donald Trump on Monday said more than 30 mine laying ships of Iran have been destroyed which has affected Tehran’s capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. “We are hammering their capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz with more
5 hours ago
Love Horoscope Today for March 17, 2026: A spontaneous moment could lead to a meaningful connectionLove Horoscope Today, March 17, 2026: Find daily astrological predictions for all sun signs. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:28 AM IST By Neeraj Dhankher Share via Copy link Aries: Mars is pushing you to
5 hours ago
Dubai arrests Iranian drone strike survivors after they sent explosion photos to loved ones3 foreigner nationals who survived drone strike in Dubai have been arrested after sending photos of the explosions to family members. Updated on: Mar 16
5 hours ago
‘Firms need to move to adaptive, energy-efficient AI models’Sarah Hooker is convinced that the future lies in AI systems that use less computing power, cost less to run and can adapt to the needs of users. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 6:58 AM IST By Shweta Taneja Share via Copy link In the last
5 hours ago
Baghdad witnessed a significant drone and rocket attack on the U.S. embassy early Tuesday. This incident marks the most intense assault since the commencement of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. Iraqi security forces have heightened their presence across the capital. The Green Zone
5 hours ago
Russell Wilson trade update: Chiefs hand a shock to Giants QB with Justin Fields move Published on: Mar 17, 2026 5:03 AM IST By Khushi Arora Share via Copy link New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) waves to fans after the game against the Dallas Cowboys (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5 hours ago
![London [UK], March 17 (ANI): The Premier League has completed a disciplinary process with Chelsea FC in respect of historical breaches relating to Financial](http://newsorbit360.com/files/news/en/imgs/chelsea-fined-and-faces-supended-transfer-ban-by-premier-league.webp?height=520)
London [UK], March 17 (ANI): The Premier League has completed a disciplinary process with Chelsea FC in respect of historical breaches relating to Financial Reporting and Third Party Investment.In 2022, Chelsea FC’s current owners voluntarily reported to the League that they had evidence of
5 hours ago
A Bengaluru-based cafe has drawn attention on social media after adding a 5 per cent “Gas Crisis Charge" to a customer’s lemonade order, sparking debate on social media platform X. The unusual fee, applied on a bill for two mint lemonades, has left many users amused and some questioning its
5 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Still using an older laptop? These Intel 13th Gen laptops show what modern performance feels likeIntel 13th Gen laptops bring improved performance
5 hours ago
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he is planning to delay a high stakes visit to China later in March by about a month because of the Iran war. "We've requested that we delay it a month or so," he told reporters at the White House
5 hours ago
LDF ally ISJD, UDF ally RSP name candidates for four seats eachThe ISJD and RSP announced their candidates for Kerala Assembly polls, with ISJD's K Krishnankutty retiring from politics and RSP seeking assembly representation. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:30 AM IST By Vishnu Varma
5 hours ago
Horoscope Today, March 17, 2026: Operational strategies at work need refinementHoroscope Today: Read the astrological predictions for each zodiac sign based on an expert's guidance on March 17, 2026. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:19 AM IST By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma
5 hours ago
Viswanathan Anand has defended Cyprus as the host of the upcoming FIDE Candidates Tournament, saying the island nation offers a high-quality setting for one of chess’ most important events despite concerns over regional tensions. Cyprus has been in focus due to its proximity to the evolving Gulf
5 hours ago
A parliamentary panel has flagged the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for surrendering nearly a quarter of funds sanctioned for Scheduled Caste welfare schemes. The committee found the ministry's inability to utilize allocated funds and its consistent budget scaling down at revised
5 hours ago
Fino Payments Bank clarifies the ongoing probe relates only to certain programme managers and merchants associated with multiple banks. Also Read :10 people dead after fire breaks out at Odisha’s Cuttack SCB Medical College; CM announces Rs 25 lakh ex-gratia assistanceFino Payments Bank clarifies
5 hours ago
When the daytime air feels like an oven and night brings no relief, people in Karachi, Pakistan, say the heat “goes straight to the head”. They mean more than dizziness or sweat. It’s the creeping panic of a body that cannot cool down: restless nights, frayed tempers, a household on edge
5 hours ago
Dozens of people are feared dead or injured at a drug treatment centre in Kabul, Afghanistan after an air strike that the Taliban government blamed on Pakistan. The hospital was hit on Monday evening, killing some people and injuring others, the government's spokesman said on X
5 hours ago
The report from Elara Capital said retail gasoline and diesel prices “could be fully protected through excise cuts until roughly $110/bbl, beyond which price hikes on diesel and gasoline would become inevitable”. Also Read :Fino Payments Bank Shares Fall To 52-Week Low Amid Probe Reports;
5 hours ago
Shocked Karan Johar reveals his 9-year-old son Yash's ‘business proposal’ as he wants to pay rent to him. WatchKaran Johar and his son Yash had a fun conversation as they discussed a business proposal. Watch their banter here. Mar 17, 2026, 06:00:58 IST By Ananya Das Share via Copy link
5 hours ago
Punjab Assembly session: House passes motion against LoP Bajwa over ‘band player’ remarkThe Punjab assembly condemned opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa for alleged derogatory remarks about a minister, leading to chaos and a walkout by Congress. Published on: Mar 17
5 hours ago
More than a thousand citizens in Ladakh's Leh and Kargil regions rallied on Monday, echoing calls for statehood and adherence to the Sixth Schedule. Leaders from the Apex Body Leh alongside the Kargil Democratic Alliance expressed their discontent regarding the central government's stance
5 hours ago
Menstrual pain is often dismissed as an inevitable part of being a woman. But when cramps become debilitating, interfere with daily life or are accompanied by chronic pelvic discomfort, they may signal something more serious. One such condition is endometriosis – a long-term disorder affecting
5 hours ago
Khushbu Sundar comes out in support of Trisha amid her viral pics with Vijay: ‘She is one of the most dignified women’Khushbu Sundar has addressed the online chatter surrounding the public appearance of Vijay and Trisha Krishnan, after the divorce petition filed by Sangeeta. Mar 17, 2026
5 hours ago
Rex Culpepper's fiancee pays sweet tribute after tragic bike accident death: ‘I don’t regret' Published on: Mar 17, 2026 4:55 AM IST By Yash Nitish Bajaj Share via Copy link Former Syracuse quarterback Rex Culpepper died after an accident on Saturday (Instagram/Rex Culpepper) Rex Culpepper
5 hours ago
