Parvez Rasool, the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to represent India, has announced his retirement from all formats of the game, concluding a distinguished 17-year career.
The 36-year-old all-rounder from Bijbehara, South Kashmir, informed the BCCI of his decision, marking the end of a journey that inspired countless young cricketers in the Valley. Rasool featured in one ODI and one T20 International for India and also played in the IPL for Pune Warriors and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Expressing his pride, Rasool said he was honoured to have contributed to the rise of cricket in Jammu and Kashmir.
Over the years, he became a pillar of J&K cricket, scoring 5,648 runs and claiming 352 wickets in First-Class cricket. His consistent performances earned him the Lala Amarnath Award for Best All-Rounder in the Ranji Trophy twice, in 2013-14 and 2017-18.
His breakthrough came in the 2012-13 season, when he amassed 594 runs and took 33 wickets, paving his way into the national squad and the IPL.
Parvez Rasool retires as a symbol of perseverance and hope for aspiring cricketers across Jammu and Kashmir. (KNS)
Parvez Rasool, born on 13 February 1989 in Bijbehara, Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, has become a significant figure in Indian cricket, particularly as the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to represent the national team
Rasool’s cricketing journey began in his hometown, influenced by his father and brother, both state-level cricketers. His talent shone through during his first-class debut for Jammu and Kashmir in the 2008-09 season. However, it was the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy season that marked his breakthrough, becoming the state’s top scorer and leading wicket-taker, with 594 runs at an average of 54 and 33 wickets.
In 2013, Rasool reached a career milestone when he was selected for the Indian squad touring Zimbabwe, making him the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to achieve this honour. His selection was widely celebrated, symbolising hope and inspiration for many in the region.
Throughout his career, Rasool has been recognised for his all-round abilities. He received the Lala Amarnath Award for the best all-rounder in the Ranji Trophy twice, first in the 2013-14 season and again in the 2016-17 season, scoring 629 runs and taking 38 wickets.
Beyond domestic cricket, Rasool has also played in the Indian Premier League (IPL), representing teams such as Pune Warriors India and Sunrisers Hyderabad. His journey from the cricket fields of Bijbehara to international arenas underscores his dedication and the potential of athletes from Jammu and Kashmir.
Rasool’s achievements have not only propelled his career forward but have also inspired many young cricketers in the region, demonstrating that with talent and perseverance, reaching the highest levels of the sport is possible.
Cricket has seen a steady rise in Kashmir over the years. The emergence of young talent and the increasing interest in the sport have contributed to the expansion of the cricket scene in the valley.
Despite the challenges posed by political instability over the past few decades, cricket in Kashmir has steadily gained national and international attention. The development of cricket culture in the region has been primarily supported by its domestic cricket system, which has produced some well-known cricketers.
In this article, we will highlight a few Kashmiri cricketers who have made their mark in domestic cricket.
1. Parvez Rasool
Parvez Rasool is one of Kashmir’s most prominent cricketers, having represented both domestic and international teams. The all-rounder made history as the first cricketer from Kashmir to secure an IPL (Indian Premier League) contract, signing with the Pune Warriors for the 2013 season, where he played 11 matches. Rasool became a fan favourite in subsequent IPL seasons, with many fantasy league players including him in their line-ups on various cricket apps. His all-round performances made him a top pick for cricket enthusiasts, particularly on platforms like the 10CRIC app.
However, Rasool’s true impact was felt in domestic cricket. He has played in 85 First-Class matches, scoring 4,886 runs at an average of 37, and taking 282 wickets at an average of 28.31. He also has 18 five-wicket hauls to his name.
Rasool was outstanding during the 2013–14 Ranji Trophy season, amassing 663 runs with two centuries and three half-centuries at an average of 51. He also took 27 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls, in 9 matches. His remarkable performance earned him the Lala Amarnath Award for the best all-rounder in domestic cricket.
Born in Anantnag, Rasool became the first cricketer from Kashmir to be selected for India ‘A’. Since then, he has gone on to become the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to play 100 List-A matches.
His stellar domestic performances earned him his first cap for India on 15 June 2014, when he played an ODI against Bangladesh. This made him the first Kashmiri cricketer to represent India internationally. He also made his T20I debut against England in 2017.
Parvez Rasool’s Stats: Bowling
Format
Matches
Innings
Balls
Runs
Wickets
Best Bowling
Ave
Econ
SR
4-W
5-W
10-W
FC
95
155
19,980
9,578
352
8/85
27.21
2.87
56.7
18
23
5
List A
164
163
8,539
6,096
221
6/45
27.58
4.28
38.6
7
3
0
T20s
71
71
1,539
1,665
60
3/17
27.75
6.49
25.6
0
0
0
Parvez Rasool’s Stats: Batting
Format
Matches
Innings
Runs
HS
Average
Balls
SR
100s
50s
4s
6s
FC
95
161
5,648
182
38.95
8,007
70.5
16
22
696
61
List A
164
144
3,982
118*
33.46
4,719
84.3
1
32
339
85
T20s
71
54
840
59*
19.53
795
105.6
0
2
68
22
2. Ian Dev Singh
Named after cricket legends Ian Botham and Kapil Dev, Ian Dev Singh was always destined for greatness. He chose to leave behind a promising career in a multinational company in Mumbai to play for his state in domestic cricket.
Singh is the highest run-scorer for Jammu and Kashmir in First-Class cricket, with 4,725 runs. He has played the most First-Class matches for the state, featuring in 79 matches.
Singh has also made his mark internationally, playing in Sri Lanka’s domestic cricket league, and he remains Kashmir’s only international First-Class player. Over the years, he has represented various teams, including India Green, the Indian Board President’s XI, Kandy Customs Cricket Club, North Zone, and the Rest of India.
He made his Duleep Trophy debut for North Zone, scoring an impressive 145 in his first match, becoming the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to score a century in the tournament.
Ian Dev Singh’s Stats: Batting
Format
Matches
Innings
NO
Runs
HS
Average
Balls
SR
100s
50s
4s
6s
FC
93
161
13
5,558
170
37.55
10,292
54.00
17
24
692
68
List A
72
70
3
1,627
112
24.28
2,364
68.82
2
9
170
15
T20s
48
48
4
876
75*
19.90
895
97.87
0
2
92
15
3. Shubham Khajuria
Shubham Khajuria made history in October 2024 by becoming the first batter from Jammu and Kashmir to score a double century in the Ranji Trophy in 22 years. He scored 255 runs off 353 balls against Maharashtra in Srinagar, setting the record for the highest score by a J&K batter in the tournament’s history.
A right-handed opener, Khajuria has consistently delivered strong performances in domestic cricket, and he was part of the India Under-19 team in 2013, becoming only the second cricketer from Kashmir to do so.
Khajuria made his First-Class debut at just 16 years old in November 2011. He was the leading run-scorer for Jammu and Kashmir in the 2018–19 Vijay Hazare Trophy, amassing 236 runs in nine matches. With his current form, it is hoped that he will soon make his IPL debut in the upcoming seasons.
Shubham Khajuria’s Stats: Batting
Format
Matches
Innings
Balls
Runs
HS
Average
Balls
SR
100s
50s
4s
6s
FC
70
122
3
3,897
255
32.74
8,332
46.77
7
23
497
74
List A
71
70
0
2,495
159
35.64
2,962
84.23
6
14
267
70
T20s
47
46
5
1,124
85*
27.41
918
122.44
0
7
109
43
These cricketers have not only put Kashmir on the map but have also set a benchmark for aspiring cricketers in the region. With their talent and determination, the future of Kashmiri cricket looks brighter than ever.
