Mumbai likely to play first-ever Ranji Trophy match in Kashmir this October

Srinagar, Jul 11: The Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar is likely to host the first Ranji Trophy match between Jammu & Kashmir and the powerhouse Mumbai team later this year.

This will mark the first time that Mumbai — India’s most decorated domestic side — is expected to play a Ranji Trophy game on Kashmiri soil.

The officials at the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), while speaking to Greater Kashmir, said that fixture was tentatively scheduled for October 15

“This is a big development for cricket in the region. Having a team like Mumbai play here in Srinagar is a proud moment for us,” a senior JKCA official said.

The Mumbai squad, if they confirm participation, is expected to feature a host of international and India A stars, bringing glittering names like Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane, and Sarfaraz Khan to the Valley — a rare treat for local fans. Their arrival is expected to draw massive crowds and give Kashmir’s passionate cricket community a chance to witness top-tier domestic cricket in their own backyard.

The contest also carries historic weight. While Mumbai boasts an unmatched Ranji legacy, J&K has surprised them twice in past editions — pulling off famous upsets that still resonate in the local cricketing memory. Now, with Mumbai stepping into J&K’s home territory for the first time, the script is wide open.

“Beating Mumbai at home would be massive for our players and fans. But this won’t be easy,” said a former J&K cricketer. “But more than that, it is the kind of exposure our young talent needs, playing against players who have represented India at the highest level.”

Meanwhile, as per the cricket observers in the valley, local players will be banking on home advantage, crowd support, and familiarity with the conditions to continue their strong record against the 41-time Ranji champions.

The fixture is also seen as a confidence-building measure by the BCCI and JKCA, signalling that the region is being brought into the mainstream domestic cricket fold.

The Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium has hosted a handful of domestic games in the past and two One Day Internationals in the 1980s, but this match promises to be one of the most significant events in the Valley’s cricketing calendar in recent decades.