EXCLUSIVE | 'No talent will go unnoticed': BCCI Secretary on Auqib Nabi's rise and importance of domestic cricket

NEW DELHI: BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia credits Jammu and Kashmir’s Ranji Trophy triumph to the sub-committee appointed by the cricket's governing body in 2021 to run the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), and to the panel led by current BCCI president Mithun Manhas, Brigadier Anil Gupta and Sunil Sethi, who worked tirelessly to bring about an overhaul in Jammu and Kashmir cricket.

In an exclusive interaction with TimesofIndia.com, Saikia reflects on the emotional moment of watching J&K lift their maiden Ranji crown and traces the journey from administrative turmoil to Paras Dogra lifting the trophy after edging domestic powerhouse Karnataka in the final in Hubballi. He cites the emergence of pacer Auqib Nabi as a symbol of domestic cricket’s strength. Saikia also elaborates on the talent identification process, the role of selectors at the grassroots level, and why no performer goes unnoticed in the current system. In the end, he also shared an update on the much-awaited 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) schedule.



Excerpts:

What was your first reaction to witnessing J&K’s historic win? Does it feel like a fairy-tale story?

It is a momentous occasion for Indian cricket as well as for the cricket of Jammu & Kashmir. It was a big moment because a lot came out of it. Every place and every state of the country is a stronghold of cricket nowadays under the patronage of the BCCI. If you look at the history of the BCCI and J&K vis-à-vis, you will see that the J&K Cricket Association was in a mess in from 2018 to 2020.

A lot of litigation was going on in the High Court of J&K. In this situation, in June 2021, when Jay Shah was the secretary of the BCCI, there was a direction from the J&K High Court that a committee should be constituted under the BCCI to look after the development of cricket in J&K. Jay Shah took a very firm decision and laid the roadmap with three persons in hand. That sub-committee was constituted with Mithun Manhas, Brigadier Anil Gupta and Sunil Sethi. That committee worked day in and day out to develop the game of cricket under the monitoring of the BCCI.

Everybody was giving inputs from the BCCI as well. That committee worked very hard and today you see the results. Within a period of five years, from being minnows in cricket in India, they are now the champions of the Ranji Trophy in India. This is a huge leap for cricket in J&K. The BCCI also takes pride in this journey of J&K.

After J&K's historic triumph, will we see a world-class facility coming up in the state?

It is very important to note that there is no such infrastructure in J&K from where they can host international matches. But the time has come now. With their performance, they have given us the roadmap. They have indicated that the BCCI should take a major step for the development of cricket in J&K, especially in the area of infrastructure development.

We are already working on indoor cricket facilities in J&K. It is in the pipeline. But we should also have a proper stadium in J&K. Wherever they decide, land allotment has to be done. That is the call of the time now.

So, it is a major victory in Indian cricket today. The road is very bright for J&K cricket as well as for cricket in India because the BCCI’s prime objective is to develop cricket not only in the main locations but also in every nook and corner of the country. States should have proper infrastructure and proper growth of cricket so that the boys and girls there get the best opportunities to hone their talent, come into the limelight, build their careers and bring laurels to the country.

Auqib Nabi has taken 100 wickets in two Ranji seasons. Does his success story reflect the importance of domestic cricket and the systems BCCI has built?

He has played very well. His contribution has been major to the success of the team. He took five wickets in the quarter-final, five wickets in the semi-final and left nothing in the final. His spell changed the final. So, everybody is taking note of it.

We have entrusted our selectors to be present at each and every Ranji Trophy game. In the final and in other matches, our selectors were present. I am sure they have done their job well. He was already in the limelight. The selectors will take a call.

The BCCI has set the stage right so that no proper talent goes unnoticed. Everybody has to be noticed. When selectors are present, their only focus is on players’ performances, which they are doing extremely well. That is why so many players from small and lesser-known places are getting opportunities to represent the country.

When a player performs well, take Ishan Kishan as an example. He was out of the limelight for two years. Then he performed and was immediately selected for the Indian team. Now you see how he is progressing and contributing to the team’s success.

Will BCCI introduce a more centralised scouting system to support talent identification beyond state associations and IPL franchises?

At the central level, we have only the selectors. For scouting and other aspects, franchises do their own work. But cricket is basically state-based. Every state brings its own team. So, it is based on the state structure.

Every state has its own constitution. There are positions for spotters and cricket committees, and they do this job.

Regarding Nabi, he has come from Baramulla. Who brought him to this position? The selectors in J&K. The BCCI selectors did not bring him. But when he plays domestic cricket and represents his state team, the BCCI selectors keep an eye on domestic matches. For example, a player from Hubli in Karnataka has to play at the district level first. Then he will come into the line of the selectors for the zonal team as well as for the national team.

When is the IPL schedule expected to be released?

Please wait for two to three days for the IPL schedule. We will release it as soon as possible. We know that it is getting late because elections are being held in three or four states such as Assam, Bengal and Tamil Nadu. We are waiting for the announcement from the election authorities. We have to take a call in a day or two. After that, we will inform you how we are going forward with the IPL.


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