Srinagar, Dec 23: The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association’s selection for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 has once again underlined the selectors’ preference for experience, even as questions persist over form and succession planning.
By retaining Paras Dogra as captain and Shubham Khajuria as his deputy, JKCA has opted for continuity at the top, a move that is stated to bring stability but that also reflects the absence of a clearly groomed next generation of leaders. Dogra’s vast domestic experience and proven temperament in pressure situations continue to make him the safest option, particularly in the 50-over and longer formats, where game awareness and adaptability often outweigh raw flair.
Experience Over Experimentation
The 15-member squad leans heavily on seasoned campaigners, with Paras Dogra, Auqib Nabi, Shubham Khajuria, Abdul Samad, Abid Mushtaq and Yudhvir Singh forming the team’s core.
However, the inclusion of wicketkeeper-batter Rydham Sharma, a product of J&K’s U-23 system, offers a limited but significant nod to youth. His call-up, following close evaluation during the Col C K Nayudu Trophy, is being seen as a reward for consistency and temperament at the age-group level.
Form vs Reputation
The squad has also reignited the long-standing debate around form versus reputation in J&K cricket. Vivrant Sharma’s inclusion, despite a string of recent poor performances, has drawn quiet scrutiny within cricketing circles. Sources indicate that he has been picked largely as a backup batting option rather than a first-choice starter.
Several cricket observers say that such practice highlights how past promise and familiarity with the set-up continue to influence selection calls.
While some former JKCA cricketers argue that white-ball formats require flexibility and bench strength, critics, however, maintain that repeated selections without current form risk demoralising consistent domestic performers waiting on the fringes.
Leadership Without Succession
Dogra’s continuation as captain brings reliability, but it also exposes a deeper issue, the lack of visible succession planning. At a time when several domestic teams are actively grooming younger captains, J&K appears content to extend an era rather than prepare for transition.
Shubham Khajuria’s appointment as vice-captain suggests trust in experience, yet the absence of a younger leadership candidate hints at a structural gap in long-term planning. For a side seeking sustained growth, leadership development remains as critical as technical skill.
A Safe Bet, For Now
Several former cricketers believe that JKCA’s Vijay Hazare selection reflects a conservative approach, one that prioritises stability, established names and leadership continuity over bold experimentation. Whether this strategy yields immediate results or delays an inevitable generational shift will become clearer once the tournament gets underway as J&K play their first game against Chandigarh on 24 December.
Meanwhile, former J&K skipper Samiullah Beigh said that the squad appeared well-balanced with no major surprises but stressed that the younger players would need to take greater responsibility.
“Apparently a balanced squad has been picked with no major surprises. Youngsters like Qamran Iqbal, Sahil Lothra, Sunil Kumar, Nasir Lone, and Yawer Hassan need to raise their game and start contributing substantially.
Adding that occasional scores of 30s or 40s and two or three wickets do not define match-winners in one-day cricket. “Seniors like Shubham, A. Samad, Auqib, Abid & Yudhvir need support from young players to win one-day games consistently,” he said.