‘Boys Stopped Getting Intimidated': J&K Bowling Coach P Krishna Kumar on Ranji Triumph and Auqib Nabi's Rise

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Jammu & Kashmir scripted history by becoming the 29th team to lift the prestigious Ranji Trophy title, defeating former champions Karnataka cricket team in Hubbali. For a team that began their 2025-26 campaign with a narrow 35-run defeat at home to the mighty Mumbai cricket team, the turnaround was remarkable - and according to bowling coach P Krishna Kumar, it was largely mental.

In an exclusive interaction with myKhel, Krishna Kumar revealed that the early loss to Mumbai - a side packed with domestic stars like Ajinkya Rahane, Sarfaraz Khan, Siddhesh Lad, Shams Mulani, and Shardul Thakur - served as a wake-up call.

"One of the reasons why the team lost against Mumbai was that the boys were awe-struck by strong opposition. After that loss at Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium, the team regrouped and resolved to not get overawed by the opponents no matter who is part of the side," Kumar said.

Turning Point: Belief Over Reputation

The defeat was followed by a dominant innings-and-41-run win over Rajasthan and a hard-fought draw against Chhattisgarh. But the defining moment came at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium, where J&K stunned Delhi by seven wickets.

"Team's performance against Delhi was a clinical one. The win margin of seven wickets only became possible because the boys stopped getting intimidated by the opposition. The outcome was the byproduct of that belief."

Leading the charge was star pacer Auqib Nabi Dar, whose five-wicket haul in the first innings dismantled Delhi's batting unit.

"Auqib led the team like a true match-winner. His fifer restricted Delhi to a low total and set the pace for a memorable season," said Kumar, himself a veteran of over 100 Ranji games for Rajasthan.

Auqib Nabi Dar: The War Horse for J&K

Nabi's season was nothing short of extraordinary. The right-arm pacer picked up 60 wickets in 10 matches at a stunning economy of 2.65, claiming seven five-fors and two 10-wicket match hauls to win the Player of the Tournament award.

His performances earned him an IPL contract with the Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2026 Auction, and several former cricketers - including legendary Sourav Ganguly - have backed the Baramulla-born pacer for an India debut.

"Ever since making his debut in 2019-2020 season, Nabi has been sincere and made rapid strides. In the last two Ranji seasons alone, he has picked up 100 wickets. He's a war horse and can bowl long spells. I strongly believe it's high time he gets picked for the national side," Kumar asserted.

With India's one-off Test against Afghanistan scheduled in New Chandigarh from June 6, Nabi could well be in contention.

Skill, Preparation & The Pace Unit

Krishna Kumar credited meticulous skill development for the bowling unit's success. Working closely with the pacers, he focused on mastering conditions - including bowling with a wet ball and preparing it for reverse swing. "The impact of this work was visible in every match," he noted.

It wasn't a one-man show either. Left-arm pacer Sunil Kumar scalped 31 wickets in nine matches, Yudhvir Singh Charak chipped in with 21 wickets, and left-arm spinner Abid Mushtaq contributed 20 wickets. Together, they formed a relentless bowling attack that powered J&K to the title.

Nabi the All-Rounder in Making

Beyond his bowling exploits, Nabi is also working hard on his batting. Kumar cited his sensational 64-ball century against Hyderabad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he countered an attack featuring Mohammed Siraj.

"He didn't just bail the team out of a precarious situation but slammed a sensational hundred and laid the foundation for a memorable win. He wants to be a proper all-rounder, and I believe he could become a quality fast-bowling all-rounder for India."

A Journey Built on Resilience

Reflecting on the historic campaign, Kumar emphasised the collective effort behind the success. "The journey hasn't been easy, but it is the hard work and dedication of every member of this side that culminated in this success."

From being overawed in their opening match to lifting Indian domestic cricket's most prestigious trophy, Jammu & Kashmir's journey underlines a simple truth - belief can transform potential into history.