SRINAGAR: Shubham Khajuria will lead the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team in the opening two matches of the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season, as announced by the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association. The squad was revealed on December 30, with opening batter Shubham Khajuria captaining the team, which aims to bounce back from disappointments in the Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
The Ranji Trophy, featuring Elite and Plate divisions, is scheduled to commence on January 25, 2024, and culminate on March 14, 2024, with teams divided into groups. Notably, the Jammu and Kashmir team will kick off their campaign against Himachal Pradesh on January 5 at the Hostel Ground in Jammu, followed by a match against Delhi at the same venue on January 12.
The squad sees the return of Umran Malik, recovering from an injury suffered during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, while injuries sideline Rasikh Salam and Yudhvir Singh. Nasir Lone secures his debut call-up to the Ranji Trophy squad, and the team largely retains its composition from the previous season, with the exclusion of Henan Malik. Abhinav Puri, contrary to earlier reports, is confirmed fit for the red ball competition.
The squad comprises Shubham Khajuria (Captain), Qamran Iqbal, Abhinav Puri, Vivrant Sharma, Abdul Samad, Shubham Singh Pundir, Fazil Rashid (wk), Musaif Aijaz, Abid Mushtaq, Sahil Lotra, Lone Nasir, Umran Malik, Umar Nazir, Auqib Nabi, Rohit Sharma. Additionally, Waseem Bashir is named the 16th member, designated as a net bowler.
Aakash Chopra, the former Indian opener, expressed criticism over Umran Malik’s omission from the India A team, considering his recent stint in the national squad just three months ago.
