No last-minute call and 2800 km dash this time: Qamran Iqbal arrives early, ready for Duleep Trophy challenge | Cricket News

Six months in the past, on February 23, a day earlier than the Ranji Trophy remaining, Qamran Iqbal was stress-free at his residence in Srinagar when, round 3 pm, his telephone rang. Jammu and Kashmir wanted him in Hubballi, almost 2,800 kms away, after opener Shubham Khajuria was dominated out with an damage.The 24-year-old instantly launched into a cross-country journey, arriving on the venue barely an hour earlier than the toss. Lower than 24 hours after receiving the call-up, Qamran produced the innings of his life, scoring an unbeaten 160 within the second innings to steer Jammu and Kashmir to their maiden Ranji Trophy title, defeating Karnataka on the premise of the first-innings lead.“All the pieces occurred abruptly,” he says.“I left Srinagar that very same evening. I took a late-night flight and travelled by way of Delhi and Mumbai earlier than reaching Hubballi. I arrived round 8 within the morning on match day and went nearly straight to the bottom. A day earlier, I used to be elsewhere and abruptly I used to be enjoying a Ranji Trophy remaining. It felt a little bit unusual.“I wasn’t feeling strain as such, however there was some journey fatigue. Nonetheless, it was high quality as a result of everybody within the crew contributed. It was actually a crew effort, and that is why we gained. It was a dream come true for the complete crew. Profitable the Ranji Trophy was a particular feeling for everybody related to Jammu and Kashmir cricket. It felt actually good,” he continues.

Hubballi: Jammu and Kashmir’s Qamran Iqbal performs a shot on day 5 of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 remaining cricket match between Karnataka and Jammu and Kashmir, at KSCA Cricket Stadium, in Hubballi, Dharwad district. (PTI Photograph/Shailendra Bhojak)(PTI02_28_2026_000156A)

The teen, who as soon as opened the batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal for India Below-19, cherishes the Ranji Trophy triumph however insists it’s only the start. Having been named in North Zone’s 15-member Duleep Trophy squad, he’s decided to attain larger issues.“I need to obtain much more in my cricket profession. Profitable the Ranji Trophy for the primary time made me very proud, and I used to be pleased that I might contribute to the crew’s success. However that is solely the start. I need to obtain rather more,” he says.

The key behind J&Ok’s success

Earlier this 12 months, Aqib Nabi, in an unique interview with TimesofIndia.com, spoke about how the arrival of P. Krishnakumar as bowling coach helped remodel his bowling. Qamran additionally credit the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Affiliation administration, significantly present BCCI president Mithun Manhas, for making a roadmap that finally led to the historic Ranji Trophy triumph.“For the final two or three years, the complete assist employees and administration have backed us fully. The affiliation usually sends us on publicity excursions. Mithun sir has been working with us for the final 4 or 5 years and has created a superb construction in the course of the low season. He usually visits our camps, and we play tournaments just like the Buchi Babu Event and different invitational competitions earlier than the home season. It has made an enormous distinction,” says Qamran.

Qamran Iqbal of Jammu & Kashmir Ranji crew on his approach to 160 runs towards Karnataka on the finals at Rajnagar KSCA cricket stadium in Hubbali on Saturday. (Photograph: Syed Asif)

“Mithun sir has performed a large position in creating cricket in Jammu and Kashmir. Due to the publicity he has given gamers in the course of the low season, it turns into a lot simpler to carry out as soon as the home season begins. Ajay Sharma sir, our coach, has additionally been excellent. He has performed cricket on the highest stage, and the small technical suggestions he provides us are extraordinarily beneficial.”Qamran began as an U-14 in Jammu and Kashmir cricket. He believes the usual of the game and infrastructure has improved tremendously up to now few years.

Since Mithun sir got here in, the amenities have improved quite a bit. We now have various kinds of wickets to arrange on, together with turf wickets, grass wickets and spin-friendly surfaces.

Qamran Iqbal

“Since Mithun sir got here in, the amenities have improved quite a bit. We now have various kinds of wickets to arrange on, together with turf wickets, grass wickets and spin-friendly surfaces. The general infrastructure has develop into significantly better, and gamers now have entry to all the things they want.“Earlier than each home season, we play tournaments just like the Buchi Babu Event towards robust groups from different states. These matches construct confidence. Whenever you step into home cricket, you do not really feel prefer it’s your first sport since you’ve already performed high quality cricket in the course of the pre-season. That have has helped me immensely,” he says.The journeyQamran’s father, Dr. Iqbal, is a health care provider by occupation and a passionate cricket follower. It was he who inspired his son to pursue the game.“My father took me to the bottom for the primary time. He wasn’t a cricketer himself, however he cherished the sport and was very eager about cricket. He launched me to the game once I was enjoying Below-14 cricket on the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium,” he remembers.

Hubballi: Jammu and Kashmir’s Qamran Iqbal performs a shot on day 5 of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 remaining cricket match between Karnataka and Jammu and Kashmir, at KSCA Cricket Stadium, in Hubballi, Dharwad district. (PTI Photograph/Shailendra Bhojak)(PTI02_28_2026_000064A)

“From there, I progressed by way of the age teams. I performed Below-16, then Below-19, represented North Zone and finally made it to the India Below-19 setup.”Qamran narrowly missed out on India’s squad for the 2020 Below-19 World Cup, however he nonetheless treasures his time with the nationwide junior facet, the place he opened the batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal.“I used to be a part of that group and performed three collection with the India Below-19 crew. I wasn’t chosen for the World Cup squad, however being in that setting was an ideal studying expertise. I carried out fairly properly in India Below-19 cricket. I had a number of scores within the 80s and 90s, however I could not convert them right into a century. I feel that made the distinction, and I missed out,” he says.