Srinagar, Apr 28: In the narrow bylanes of Bemina, Srinagar, a young boy once stood dreaming with a battered bat and a heart full of hope. That boy, Arshad Ahmad Bhat, would go on to represent Jammu and Kashmir in Ranji Trophy cricket for over a decade — a silent soldier of the sport whose name few today remember, but whose contributions remain etched deep in the foundation of Kashmir’s cricketing journey.
The Early Days: A Journey Born from Baramulla
Arshad’s early life was shaped by the steady hand of his father, a district officer in the Industries Department. “My father supported me a lot,” Arshad recalls warmly. After starting his education at Saint Joseph’s School in Baramulla, his life took a turn when his father was transferred, leading to his admission at Tyndale Biscoe School in 1984.
The third standard student soon found solace in cricket. Living in Srinagar, and later moving during the tumultuous late 1980s, cricket became Arshad’s escape amid the brewing unrest. “We used to play a lot at Sharjah ground,” he says, referring not to the UAE but to a local field in Srinagar where countless boys chased their cricketing dreams.
He completed his twelfth grade in 1994 and that same year played his first major national tournament, the C.K. Nayudu Under-19 Trophy. Selection, however, was no straightforward affair.
“We were selected through a rigorous process — inter-school, inter-zone, inter-district matches, and finally, division trials,” Arshad said. His performances earned him a ticket to Lucknow, where he represented J&K in his first national-level tournament.
Breaking Through: Leather Ball Dreams and Club Cricket
By the late 90s, Arshad’s performances had caught the attention of local scouts. “In 1997, one organiser spotted me during a final against Batmaloo,” Arshad recounts. Encouraged, he transitioned into club cricket by 1998. His arrival was nothing short of explosive. In his very first two-day match, he scored a remarkable 184 runs.
Despite consistent club performances, Ranji Trophy selection remained elusive. “For three years, I wasn’t selected,” he admits. Persistence, however, paid off. In 2001-02, Arshad finally donned the prestigious J&K Ranji cap.
It marked the beginning of a remarkable 13-year Ranji career from 2001 to 2013.
Thirteen Years in Ranji: A Quiet Warrior
Life in the Ranji circuit was a world apart from the dusty school grounds of Srinagar. “It was a great journey, playing outside Jammu and Kashmir, getting exposure, and competing against the best,” Arshad says.
Over the years, he shared the field with cricketing giants. “I played against teams where players like Yuvraj Singh, M S Dhoni, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Vikram Rathore, Ashish Kapoor, Virender Sehwag and even a young Virat Kohli featured,” he recalls proudly.
In 2005-06, he achieved a personal milestone, scoring his maiden Ranji century against Saurashtra at Rajkot. “I remember Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravindra Jadeja were young players back then,” he adds with a smile.
However, the career wasn’t without its challenges. Injuries crept in, a torn ligament eventually led to his decision to step away after the 2012 season.
“I realised it was time to hang up my boots and pave the way for younger players,” Arshad reflects with grace.
Interestingly, during the peak of his career, Arshad was offered a contract by the Indian Cricket League (ICL), an unsanctioned private cricket league. However, he refused to join after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issued a directive prohibiting participation in the ICL. He chose to comply with the board’s directions, putting the prestige of representing his state and the official cricketing body over personal gain.
Career at a Glance
During his professional career, Arshad Bhatt featured in 32 first-class matches, scoring 1681 runs at an average of 30.01, including one century and 15 half-centuries, with a highest score of 117. Behind the stumps, he claimed 70 catches and 11 stumpings in first-class cricket, establishing himself as a reliable wicketkeeper-batsman.
In the List A format, Bhatt played 25 matches, accumulating 496 runs at an average of 21.56, with two half-centuries to his name. He also contributed 13 catches and 6 stumpings as a keeper.
He also represented Jammu and Kashmir in the shortest format, T20 cricket, playing 10 matches and scoring 161 runs at a strike rate of 103.87, with a top score of 45. In T20s, he added 3 catches and 1 stumping to his record.
The Reality Check: Struggles Beyond the Boundary
Arshad’s story also lays bare the infrastructural and systemic challenges faced by Kashmiri cricketers of his era. “We lacked proper gear, even during my first nationals, I had to carry keeping gloves and pads but no batting gloves,” he remembers.
The disparity in facilities compared to states like Mumbai was stark. “If we had even half their exposure, many of us could have reached higher, maybe even the IPL or national team,” Arshad said.
Yet, there’s no bitterness. Only a quiet pride in having laid the groundwork for the next generation.
Life After Cricket: Giving Back
Today, Arshad serves as a physical instructor in the Department of Youth Services and Sports and works as a selector in the JKCA setup. “I guide youngsters whenever possible,” he says, adding that he even completed his Level One coaching course from Bangalore’s NCA.
His passion for the game lives on, not just through the players he mentors but also through his own son, who is pursuing cricket with the same spark.
“Sometimes I guide him,” Arshad says, “but the journey has to be his own.”
The Last Word: A Legacy Beyond Numbers
Thirteen years in Ranji. Innumerable memories. Few trophies but countless lessons. Arshad Bhat’s cricketing story is not about fame or fortune. It is about perseverance, loyalty, and love for a game that often gave little in return but demanded everything.
“In the end, it’s not about who remembers you,” Arshad says softly. “It’s about what you gave to the game.”
And in that silent giving, Arshad Ahmad Bhat remains one of Kashmir’s truest cricketers, a keeper not just of wickets but of forgotten dreams.
