‘The boys are pumped’: J&K skipper Paras Dogra on life post Ranji & a regret that no longer weighs heavy

Veteran captain of traditional also-rans credits Bishan Singh Bedi and Irfan Pathan, also now only the third to score 10,000 Ranji runs.

J&K skipper Paras Dogra in ThePrint newsroom | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint

New Delhi: The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) team celebrated their maiden Ranji Trophy triumph with a victory parade in Jammu on 8 March after the Paras Dogra-led team defeated heavyweights Karnataka on the basis of a first innings lead at the KSCA Rajnagar Stadium in Hubbali. The victory parade covered BC Road, Akhnoor Road, Jewel Chowk, Jammu University and the railway station in Jammu.

“It was a proud moment for everyone. The parade was a good experience. Everyone was dancing and enjoying the moment. I think the J&K people really enjoyed celebrating with us, this win was for them,” Dogra told ThePrint.

There was a time when teams touring J&K for the Ranji Trophy treated the trip almost like a holiday; matches would wrap up within two days, leaving ample time to vacation in Gulmarg and Pahalgam. The turning point came during Bishan Singh Bedi’s tenure in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, when a more competitive structure began to take shape. This progress was further strengthened under the guidance of Irfan Pathan.

Since making their Ranji Trophy debut in 1960, J&K’s performances have steadily improved, particularly over the past decade. The team reached the quarterfinals in the 2013-14, 2019-20, and 2024-25 seasons, signaling consistent growth. This upward trajectory culminated in a historic milestone this season as they became the 19th team to lift the prestigious Ranji Trophy title.

“Now, our goal is to retain the trophy of course,” said Dogra.

“I think the boys are very pumped up. I think this group has been really good and they are young as well. They are hungry as well and now they have tasted the championship once. So now I think they will prepare more and come back harder.”

The victory carried a deeply personal meaning for Dogra, as it came on the death anniversary of his father Kultaar Kumar Dogra who passed away due to liver failure on February 28, 2009.

Notably, no one within the team or the administration was aware of this. Dogra kept the emotions to himself, ensuring that the moment and its significance did not affect his focus or add to the pressure.

“My mother was in disbelief when she learned the dates of the Ranji final. She had been praying constantly,” he said. “When we finally won, she broke down. It was overwhelming for her.”

No intimidation

Dogra is soft-spoken and rarely takes credit. Yet his candour stands out. When asked if the team felt any pressure facing big names like K.L. Rahul, Prasidh Krishna, and Mayank Agarwal, he dismissed the idea, saying “Nothing like that.”

In his view, the team’s journey to the final had already built enough belief. J&K had pulled off a string of impressive wins, defeating Mumbai in Mumbai, followed by victories over the Delhi cricket team in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh cricket team in Madhya Pradesh, and Bengal cricket team in Bengal. By the time they reached the final, confidence was already deeply ingrained.

“So in the final, we just trusted our basics and focused on doing the simple things right. Staying consistent with the basics—that’s actually the hardest part,” he explained.

J&K were also aided by an unusually wayward bowling display from the Karnataka cricket team. On Day 1, their attack, including Prasidh Krishna, lacked discipline and offered too many loose deliveries. J&K’s batters capitalized fully, racing to 284/2, a start Dogra later described as both “ideal” and their “most successful” opening of the 2025-26 season.

“Our batters deserve all the credit. They punished every loose ball, which is why we could post such a strong first-innings total,” he said, adding how their bowlers finished the job with their disciplined bowling attack led by Nabi.

Although Dogra joined the setup only two years ago, he had previously faced J&K during his playing days with Himachal Pradesh and Pondicherry. Alongside Mithun Manhas, who took charge of the JKCA in 2021 and helped overhaul its functioning, Dogra credits two key figures for laying the foundation: Bishan Singh Bedi and Irfan Pathan.

“I trained under Bedi sir. He was strict, but also a wonderful human being. And I’ve heard from several senior players that he changed the mindset of the J&K team,” Dogra said.

That shift in mindset was crucial. The goal was no longer just participation or the occasional upset, but consistently winning matches and ultimately chasing the title. “Over the past two years, I have seen that hunger in the squad. I always believed this group would win. They’re incredibly talented,” he added.

When asked about a key captaincy call in the final, Dogra initially downplayed his role, insisting the team required little intervention. However, he later pointed to one subtle but impactful decision—changing his own fielding position. “I’ve spent my whole life fielding in the slips. But to stay more connected with the bowlers, talk to them, hear their ideas, and guide them, I moved to mid-off. That really helped me stay in sync with the attack,” he explained.

Since the victory, Dogra has barely had a moment to pause. His phone has been constantly buzzing, and he has been shuttling between Delhi and J&K. Messages of appreciation have poured in from family, friends, and members of the cricketing fraternity, including Shikhar Dhawan, Vikram Rathour, and Yuzvendra Chahal, all of whom reached out to congratulate him.

Behind the success

Dogra has spent over two decades, 24 years, immersed in the Indian domestic cricket circuit, building a reputation defined by consistency and leadership. Over the years, he has captained multiple sides, including Himachal Pradesh, Pondicherry, and now J&K. At 41, he commands immense respect across the domestic scene and stands among an elite group of players. He is only the third in Ranji Trophy history to have crossed the 10,000-run milestone.

With this latest triumph, he has finally secured the one achievement that had eluded him, the Ranji Trophy title.

Yet, criticism has often followed him. When he reached 10,000 runs, detractors dismissed the feat, claiming his numbers came largely against weaker opposition and questioning his overall batting calibre. Even J&K’s run to the final drew scepticism, with some suggesting it reflected a decline in the tournament’s standards.

Dogra, however, chooses not to engage with the noise. Even though his heated moment with Aneesh during the final says otherwise, the skipper largely takes such remarks in stride. “I have just one response,” he said. “Whenever and wherever I get the opportunity to score, I will. I play because I enjoy the game. My aim has always been simple: give your best performance at every stage you’re given.”

While he admits to some regret about never representing India, it no longer weighs heavily on him. Time, he says, has brought perspective, something his younger self perhaps lacked. “Those things were never in my control. From the beginning, my approach has been simple: do your job, and whatever is meant for you will come,” he reflected.

Even at 41, Dogra’s fitness levels rival players half his age, earning him the nickname marathon man. Balancing his cricketing commitments with his job at the Food Corporation of India in Delhi, he maintains a disciplined yet uncomplicated routine. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate rest form the core of his regimen.

“I keep dinner low on carbs, and I don’t eat sweets at all,” he said. “But more than anything else, sleep is the most important thing in my schedule.”

(Edited Nardeep Singh Dahiya)