Ranji Win Symbol of Hope and Renewal for Jammu Kashmir, Says PDP MLA Waheed Parra | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Waheed Ur Rehman Parra on Friday described Jammu and Kashmir’s Ranji Trophy triumph as “more than sports news,” saying the victory symbolised renewal and hope at a time when the region faces social and political strains.

Reacting to the title win by the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team in the Ranji Trophy, Parra wrote on social media that lifting the trophy was “not just about winning” but about “showing the way.”

“At a time when so much around us feels fractured, when institutions become flashpoints, when young people feel unheard, when debates over region, religion and identity grow louder, this victory feels different. It feels personal to all of us,” he said.

The PDP leader said the team’s on-field unity carried a larger message. “On the field, there were no divisions. Hindus and Muslims stood shoulder to shoulder, playing for one badge, one dream. They transcended religious, regional and geographical divides, taking on and defeating elite teams from across the country. That’s no small feat,” he wrote.

Parra also referred to the transformation of the region’s cricket administration. Without naming specific controversies, he noted that the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, which had in the past faced allegations and scrutiny, now reflected “renewal” and “change,” adding that the system was “slowly finding its feet again.”

Highlighting the emotional dimension of the victory, he said the players competed with pride and determination. “Every run, every wicket, every dive on the field carried more than sporting intent — it carried hope,” he wrote.

Parra made special mention of pace bowler Auqib Nabi Dar, calling him “a symbol of resilience and raw promise.” He said the cricketer’s journey had become an inspiration not only for aspiring players but for “an entire generation searching for light.”

Describing the Ranji triumph as a broader social moment, the PDP legislator said the achievement resonated in a region where many young people grapple with anxiety and uncertainty. “Here is a team that chose belief over bitterness. Effort over excuses. This is about turning despair into determination. Turning doubt into dignity. Turning hopelessness into hope,” he wrote.

Jammu and Kashmir’s Ranji Trophy victory — their first in the history of the competition — has drawn congratulatory messages from political leaders, former cricketers and civil society groups across the country.