Cricket in Jammu and Kashmir occupies a short but important position in the cricketing history of India. Although the game is highly popular in the state, Jammu and Kashmir has so far hosted just two international matches. Both were hosted by the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium at Srinagar during the 1980s. The region has been without any first-class level cricket since then due to political unrest and security issues.
A Brief History of Kashmir International Matches
The Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium
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The Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar was once regarded as a potential venue for international cricket. It had a capacity of approximately 12,000 and was hoped to host matches regularly. But only two One Day Internationals (ODIs) have ever been hosted at the stadium, both featuring India, and both were lost by the home side.
The 1983 Match against West Indies
The inaugural international match that took place at the stadium was in 1983. India, fresh from the first-ever World Cup Win, were playing Clive Lloyd’s West Indies team. Even with the strong line-up that took the field under Kapil Dev, India lost the game by 28 runs in a rain-affected match. This was the start of international cricket in Jammu and Kashmir.
ODI vs Australia in 1986
The second and final match of the international tour took place on September 9, 1986. Australia played India, in which Sunil Gavaskar was Indian’s best effort, with a composed 52 runs off 56 balls, for a team total of 222 runs for 8 wickets. Australia’s chase was led by Allan Border with an ever-undefeated score of 90*, edging for their team victory with 3 wickets remaining, closing a very close match.
Fall of Cricket in Jammu and Kashmir
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Security Problems and CRPF Occupation
After the 1986 match, the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium became redundant as a result of growing security issues. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) occupied the field as a base camp for almost 18 years, effectively stopping all cricket activities in the area.
The stadium also served as a platform for different political rallies during the early 21st century, moving it further away from its original sporting intent.
Infrastructure and Safety Issues
In spite of the passion for cricket in the state, inadequate infrastructure and frequent safety concerns have held back the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from bringing back international cricket to Kashmir. To date, no high-level matches have been hosted in the stadium for nearly four decades.
Current Sentiment and Political Backdrop
The area continues to be politically volatile, particularly following such calamitous events as the Pahalgam valley attack on visitors, which fueled national indignation. The reported locals’ participation in assisting attackers caused a perception shift towards the populace and the area as a whole. This has also made it more challenging to host cricket matches in Jammu and Kashmir.
Public and BCCI’s Stand on Pakistan Matches
Against the backdrop of increased tensions, there has been a heightened public outcry for the BCCI to sever cricketing relations with Pakistan, with several voices demanding an outright stoppage of bilateral series. While this is a reflection of a larger national mood, it also indirectly affects the region’s chances of hosting future games due to its geopolitical nature.
Though cricket in Jammu and Kashmir started with promise, it has been hindered by circumstances far beyond the sport itself. With no international games since 1986 and continued security issues, the region is a sleeping but optimistic chapter in Indian cricket history. Reviving cricket in Kashmir will take not only infrastructure improvements but also a change in the socio-political environment.
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