Yagnik… walking the extra mile.
| Photo Credit: X@Dishantyagnik77
The Jammu and Kashmir cricket team had a fairytale red-ball season in 2024-25, rising from the fringes to the centrestage.
It reached the Ranji Trophy knockout phase, toppling 42-time champion Mumbai and humbling Baroda — both on their home soil.
Though J&K’s dream campaign ended by the narrowest of margins — a one-run defeat to Kerala in the semifinals — there was a sense of pride and belief in the ranks.
Fielding coach Dishant Yagnik, one of the architects of the turnaround, believes that the best is yet to come for J&K. He is confident that the team will make history in all three formats in the domestic circuit.
Fuelled by SPB
In an exclusive chat with The Hindu, Yagnik, who is guiding the side in the Buchi Babu tournament here, felt that J&K’s stunning climb was fuelled by structure, process and belief.
“The talent was always there but to nurture it, we lacked proper infrastructure and training facilities.
The Manhas touch
“The real transformation began when Mithun Manhas took over in the 2021-22 season. He ensured that all necessary elements of a professional cricket set-up were in place.
“Credit also goes to Brigadier Anil Gupta and Sethi sir. Together with Mithun, the three of them created a roadmap and culture for J&K, and wanted it to be among the top three teams in the country.
“Call it a vision, a dream, or a claim… I truly believe that J&K will be the first side in Indian domestic cricket to win all three formats. When an outfit wants to win that badly, victory is not too far away.
“People only see the results, but rarely those working behind the scenes. Mithun knows how to run the administration and get the best out of the players.
Domestic legend
“Head coach Ajay sir is a domestic legend with decades of experience and his insights are invaluable.
“What’s wonderful is that our coaching doesn’t end at 5 p.m. but continues through discussions and debates well into the night… it’s organic and collaborative. Our philosophy is clear: if we continue to improve internally, the external results will follow.
“We’re focused and hungry, and shouldn’t be taken lightly,” signed off Yagnik, who is also Rajasthan Royals’ fielding coach in the IPL.
Published – August 19, 2025 10:35 pm IST
