Now Reading: J&K opener Qamran Iqbal arrives early for Duleep Trophy
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J&K opener Qamran Iqbal arrives early for Duleep Trophy
Qamran Iqbal, the 24-year-old opener from Jammu and Kashmir, has arrived four days early at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence for the Duleep Trophy, avoiding the frantic last-minute travel that marked his Ranji Trophy final call-up. Six months ago, he received a sudden summons on February 23, travelled nearly 2,800 km from Srinagar to Hubballi in 15 hours, and arrived barely an hour before the toss.
Despite the fatigue, Iqbal scored an unbeaten 160 in the second innings of the Ranji Trophy final against Karnataka, helping his side secure their maiden title on the basis of the first-innings lead. He is one of six J&K players selected for the North Zone squad, which opens its campaign against West Zone on Sunday.
Iqbal credited J&K Cricket Association president Mithun Manhas and coach Ajay Sharma for the team's success, citing off-season exposure tours and tournaments like the Buchi Babu Trophy. He said the Ranji triumph is 'only the beginning' and he aims for bigger achievements in his career.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Qamran Iqbal's journey from a last-minute substitute to a Ranji Trophy hero highlights J&K's growing cricket depth. The state's maiden title came after years of structural investment under Mithun Manhas, who prioritised off-season camps and exposure tours. With six J&K players in the North Zone squad, the Duleep Trophy will test whether this success can translate to higher levels. Iqbal's early arrival signals a shift from chaos to preparation, a small but telling detail in a career that could soon push for India A or senior selection. Watch his performances in the coming matches.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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