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

Qamran Iqbal’s Journey: From Chaotic Dash to Duleep Trophy Ambition

NEW DELHI: Six months ago, cricketer Qamran Iqbal found himself embroiled in a 2,800-kilometer cross-country odyssey, culminating in a career-defining, unbeaten 160 runs that secured Jammu & Kashmir’s maiden Ranji Trophy. This time, however, the 24-year-old opener is leaving nothing to chance, arriving four days early at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in preparation for the Duleep Trophy. His foresight marks a stark contrast to the frantic 15-hour dash that preceded his historic Ranji final performance.

Iqbal, a pivotal figure in Jammu & Kashmir’s victorious Ranji Trophy squad, is one of six players from the team selected to represent North Zone. Their Duleep Trophy campaign is set to commence on Sunday against West Zone. Recalling the whirlwind events of February, Iqbal shared his experience with TimesofIndia.com: "My last Bengaluru trip was something else. I arrived around 8 in the morning on match day and went almost straight to the ground."

The dramatic turn of events unfolded on February 23, the eve of the Ranji Trophy final. Relaxing at his home in Srinagar, Iqbal received an urgent call. Opener Shubham Khajuria had been ruled out due to injury, and Jammu & Kashmir needed him in Hubballi – nearly 2,800 kilometers away. Without hesitation, Iqbal embarked on an extraordinary journey, involving a late-night flight via Delhi and Mumbai, landing in Hubballi barely an hour before the toss.

Despite the grueling travel, Iqbal rose to the occasion. Less than 24 hours after receiving the unexpected call-up, he delivered an unforgettable performance, scoring an unbeaten 160 in the second innings. This magnificent knock steered Jammu & Kashmir to their historic maiden Ranji Trophy title, securing victory over Karnataka on the basis of a first-innings lead.

"Everything happened suddenly," Iqbal recounted. "I left Srinagar that same night. I took a late-night flight and travelled through Delhi and Mumbai before reaching Hubballi. I arrived around 8 in the morning on match day and went almost straight to the ground. A day earlier, I was somewhere else and suddenly I was playing a Ranji Trophy final. It felt a little strange."

He acknowledged the physical toll of the journey but emphasized the collective effort. "I wasn’t feeling pressure as such, but there was some travel fatigue. Still, it was fine because everyone in the team contributed. It was truly a team effort, and that’s why we won. It was a dream come true for the entire team. Winning the Ranji Trophy was a special feeling for everyone associated with Jammu and Kashmir cricket. It felt really good."

Having previously opened the batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal for India Under-19, Iqbal cherishes the Ranji Trophy triumph but views it as merely the beginning. Now, named in North Zone’s 15-member Duleep Trophy squad, he is driven by a desire for greater achievements. "I want to achieve a lot more in my cricket career. Winning the Ranji Trophy for the first time made me very proud, and I was happy that I could contribute to the team’s success. But this is only the beginning. I want to achieve much more," he asserted.

The Secret Behind J&K’s Success: A Transformative Roadmap

Iqbal, like his teammate Aqib Nabi, credits the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association management, particularly current BCCI president Mithun Manhas, for orchestrating the roadmap that led to their historic Ranji success. "For the last two or three years, the entire support staff and management have backed us completely. The association regularly sends us on exposure tours. Mithun sir has been working with us for the last four or five years and has created an excellent structure during the off-season. He regularly visits our camps, and we play tournaments like the Buchi Babu Tournament and other invitational competitions before the domestic season. It has made a huge difference," explained Qamran.

He further lauded Manhas’s instrumental role: "Mithun sir has played a massive role in developing cricket in Jammu and Kashmir. Because of the exposure he has given players during the off-season, it becomes much easier to perform once the domestic season begins. Ajay Sharma sir, our coach, has also been outstanding. He has played cricket at the highest level, and the small technical tips he gives us are extremely valuable."

Iqbal, who began his cricket journey as an Under-14 player, highlighted the significant improvements in the sport’s standards and infrastructure over recent years. "Since Mithun sir came in, the facilities have improved a lot. We now have different types of wickets to prepare on, including turf wickets, grass wickets and spin-friendly surfaces. The overall infrastructure has become much better, and players now have access to everything they need."

He emphasized the importance of pre-season tournaments in building confidence: "Before every domestic season, we play tournaments like the Buchi Babu Tournament against strong teams from other states. Those matches build confidence. When you step into domestic cricket, you don’t feel like it’s your first game because you’ve already played quality cricket during the pre-season. That experience has helped me immensely."

The Journey: From Father’s Passion to National Ambition

Qamran’s father, Dr. Iqbal, a doctor by profession and an ardent cricket enthusiast, played a pivotal role in nurturing his son’s passion for the sport. "My father took me to the ground for the first time. He wasn’t a cricketer himself, but he loved the game and was very interested in cricket. He introduced me to the sport when I was playing Under-14 cricket at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium," Qamran recalled.

His progression through the age groups was steady: "From there, I progressed through the age groups. I played Under-16, then Under-19, represented North Zone and eventually made it to the India Under-19 setup."

Although he narrowly missed out on India’s squad for the 2020 Under-19 World Cup, Iqbal cherishes his time with the national junior side, where he formed an opening partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal. "I was part of that group and played three series with the India Under-19 team. I wasn’t selected for the World Cup squad, but being in that environment was a great learning experience. I performed reasonably well in India Under-19 cricket. I had several scores in the 80s and 90s, but I couldn’t convert them into a century. I think that made the difference, and I missed out," he concluded, reflecting on a journey marked by dedication, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Now, with the Duleep Trophy on the horizon, Qamran Iqbal is poised to write the next chapter in his compelling cricket story.