‎Srinagar, Oct 03 (KNS): BCCI President Mithun Manhas on Saturday said the Ranji Trophy final between Jammu and Kashmir and Rest of India was evenly poised, with the first session of the next day likely to play a crucial role in determining the direction of the match.
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‎Speaking on the sidelines of the match, Manhas said J&K had put up a strong performance and taken the first-innings lead, but Rest of India had also made a strong comeback.
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‎“The match that is happening here is happening after four decades at this level. It is very evenly poised. J&K has shown a very good performance and taken the lead in the first innings, but Rest of India has also made a strong comeback,” Manhas said.
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‎He said the coming day and its first session would be particularly important, with the team performing better in that period likely to gain an advantage.
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‎“The coming day and the first session will be very, very important. We have to see how both the teams play in the first session. Whichever team performs better in the first session, I think the game will continue to go in their favour,” he said.
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‎Manhas said the response from spectators had been encouraging, noting that cricket in the Valley had returned to a match of this level after four decades.
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‎“There is a very good response. Cricket in the Valley has come to this level after four decades. People are happy and they hope that as many matches as possible are held here,” he said.
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‎He said hosting major matches in the Valley would also give young local players an opportunity to watch leading cricketers closely and draw inspiration from them.
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‎“The local boys and local kids can see their role models.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThere is a lot of passion among them. Cricket here is played with a lot of passion, and the players and spectators have also got a chance to see their role models,” Manhas said.
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‎He described the tournament as positive for J&K and said the region could host more major cricketing events in the future.
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‎Asked whether tournaments such as the IPL and other major matches should be held in J&K, Manhas said the decision would rest with the cricketing authorities, while expressing confidence in the recently formed J&K Cricket body.
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‎“The prerogative will be of the cricket associations. Recently, the new body of JKC has been formed. It is doing a very good job and we expect that they will make stadiums because of which international matches will be held here,” he said.
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‎Manhas also welcomed India’s gold-medal victory, saying the achievement was a matter of great joy for the country.
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‎“It is a matter of great joy. The team has won gold. Not only the men’s team, even the women’s cricket team has won gold in the Asia Cup, and the whole country is celebrating,” he said.
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‎He praised the performances of the players and also acknowledged the contribution of Jay Shah to the development of Indian cricket.
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‎“The players have done a great performance. I would like to give special thanks to Jay Shah ji, who was the secretary at that time and is now the chair of the ICC, who has played a very important role in the development of cricket,” Manhas said.
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‎He also extended his congratulations on the achievements of the women’s cricket team, particularly highlighting the progress of women’s cricket.(KNS)