In a surprising development ahead of the second phase of the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season, Jammu & Kashmir’s express pacer
Umran Malik has been left out of the state’s squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy preparatory camp in Pondicherry. The decision comes despite Malik’s international experience, having represented India in 10 One-Day Internationals and 8 T20Is, and has sparked discussion among cricket fans and analysts across the region.
Malik, known for his raw pace and ability to consistently clock speeds over 150 km/h, featured only once for J&K in the earlier phase of the Ranji Trophy — a game against Rajasthan in Srinagar where he went wicketless. Prior to that, in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he managed six wickets in five appearances. However, he was also excluded from the squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy earlier in the domestic season, adding to speculation about his form and fitness.
The Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) announced the new squad for the preparatory camp that begins in mid-January, including a mix of seasoned domestic performers and emerging talent. Notable inclusions are players like Paras Dogra, Abdul Samad, and Auqib Nabi, among others. With head coach Ajay Sharma set to join the team ahead of the camp, the focus remains on acclimatizing players for the rigorous schedule ahead.
J&K will kick off their Ranji Trophy phase two campaign against Pondicherry at Sichem Stadium from January 22–25, followed by a clash with Himachal Pradesh. The team currently sits second in Elite Group D, trailing only Mumbai. Analysts suggest that the omission of Malik may stem from a combination of his recent performance metrics and squad balance considerations, although official comments on the precise rationale have yet to be detailed by the JKCA.
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