SRINAGAR: As Jammu and Kashmir sealed their maiden Ranji Trophy title with a commanding first-innings lead over eight-time champions Karnataka cricket team, the spotlight fell firmly on head coach Ajay Sharma, the architect of a transformation few had imagined possible.
For Sharma, 61, the triumph was more than a title. It marked the culmination of a long, turbulent journey from domestic cricket legend to life ban, courtroom battles, and eventual redemption in the dugout.
Born in Delhi, Sharma built one of the most formidable first-class careers in Indian cricket. Representing Delhi cricket team, he scored over 10,000 runs at an average of 67.46, compiling a record 38 centuries. In the 1999-2000 season, he became the Ranji Trophy’s highest run-scorer, underlining his dominance in domestic cricket.
At the international level, Sharma represented India national cricket team in one Test and 31 One Day Internationals, scoring 424 runs and claiming 15 wickets with his left-arm spin.
In 2000, Sharma’s career derailed when he was handed a life ban after being found guilty in a match-fixing case. Refusing to accept the verdict, he fought a prolonged legal battle. After 15 years in exile, a Delhi court cleared him in 2014, paving the way for his return to cricket in a coaching capacity.
Even then, rehabilitation was not immediate. Sharma struggled to secure a senior coaching assignment and worked at the National Cricket Academy and with Delhi’s Under-19 setup. The breakthrough came in September 2022, when he was appointed head coach of Jammu and Kashmir, replacing Sanjeev Sharma. The opportunity reportedly came through former teammate Mithun Manhas, who was then associated with J&K cricket administration.
Sharma’s early months with the team were far from smooth. His disciplinarian approach did not sit well with several players. Some reportedly viewed him as authoritarian, and resistance surfaced within the dressing room. Determined to dismantle what he saw as a “star culture,” Sharma made bold calls, including dropping established names to reinforce accountability.
The transition required recalibration. Advice from close family members and well-wishers encouraged him to adapt his methods to the specific socio-cricketing realities of Jammu and Kashmir. Gradually, the friction eased. The man once labelled a “dictator” evolved into Ajju bhai within the squad.
Under Sharma’s stewardship, J&K’s red-ball cricket underwent structural change. Discipline, fitness standards, role clarity, and mental conditioning became cornerstones of the team’s approach. The emphasis shifted from individual flair to collective resilience.
The results followed. J&K navigated a demanding season, defeating established sides with greater pedigree and experience. In the final, they outplayed Karnataka, a powerhouse boasting multiple former and current Test players, securing the title by virtue of a massive first-innings lead.
For a team that had never previously lifted the Ranji Trophy, the victory marked a watershed moment in its 67-year history in the tournament.
Saturday’s scenes, players hoisting Sharma on their shoulders, captured the emotional weight of the achievement. For the coach, it was vindication after years of professional uncertainty.
The triumph has not only reshaped Jammu and Kashmir’s cricketing identity but also restored Sharma’s standing within Indian cricket. From courtroom battles to crafting champions, his journey reflects resilience as much as tactical acumen.
Behind Jammu and Kashmir’s historic Ranji success stands a coach who rebuilt both a team and his own legacy.
