How to join girls cricket in Jammu and Kashmir

Step-by-step advice on pathways, clubs, competitions and coaching for getting into girls cricket and women’s cricket in Jammu and Kashmir.

Kashmir may provide the willow that makes bats for cricketers around the world, but for girls in Jammu and Kashmir, it isn’t easy to wield their bats and balls. 

Limited facilities, administrative issues, political instability, weather that is unfavourable for cricket and social biases all make it difficult for girls to pursue the sport. 

Yet, there are some who have persisted and blazed a trail for others to follow. Players from Jammu and Kashmir have made it to Challenger squads and also played the Women’s T20 Challenge. 

Here’s how girls can make it to the J&K state team. 

Where to start 

Not many schools have girls teams, but in several government schools, the sports teacher can give you basic coaching and guide you further based on your ability. 

There are also academies and J&K Sports Council facilities where girls can practise. 

Selection for the Jammu and Kashmir state women’s team 

J&K has women’s teams for Under-19, Under-23 and senior age groups. 

The process for selection is: Open trials → Probables → state team 

  • Keep an eye out for an ad in the paper or on the association Facebook page announcing the dates and venue for the trials. 
  • Attend the trials, which are generally age-group specific and happen over a week. 
  • A group of players are shortlisted for a ‘probables’ camp before a tournament, where they train for a couple of weeks. 
  • The top players in the camp are selected for the state teams. 

An inter-district tournament has happened in the past, but it has been discontinued. 

Contact Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association at Jkcags_srinagar@yahoo.com 

Illustration of girls playing cricket at different stages of their life

Facilities 

Unfortunately, facilities for girls aren’t too developed. Jammu and Anantnag are two big centres for sport, and have grounds where girls can play.  

Many cricketers choose to practise outside the state outside of competition time. 

Other opportunities to develop your game 

  • The J&K Sports Council holds some competitions. 
  • The Dooru Cricket League was organised in 2020 by the Indian Army in Anantnag. The winners, Anantnag XI, travelled to Pune for more friendly matches. 
  • Nari Shakti Cricket Prityogita was held in 2021. It was organised by the Royal Women’s Cricket Club with an OK from JKCA and the J&K Sports Council.

School cricket for girls in Jammu and Kashmir

While JKCA doesn’t have any inter-school competition, the J&K Sports Council as well as the School Games Federation of India hold matches.  

College cricket for girls in Jammu and Kashmir 

While JKCA doesn’t have any inter-college matches, the J&K Sports Council and Higher Education Department hold tournaments. Some colleges that feature are: 

  • Government Women’s College, MA Road, Srinagar
  • SP College, Srinagar 
  • AAAM Degree College Bemina
  • Government College for Women, Nawakadal
  • Government Degree College Pattan

Notable academies & clubs for girls cricket in Jammu and Kashmir 

  • KC Sports Club, Jammu 
  • Royal Women’s Cricket Club in Jammu has been spearheaded by BCCI-certified coach Roopali Slathia.  

Nadia’s Story


Nadia Chowdhary was around ten years old when she got into professional cricket. Her school began cricket coaching and had encouraged kids to join. She used to leave the house by 6 am and would travel around 30 km daily for school and then 15 km for coaching. She would return only by night. 

Her neighbours weren’t supportive because of her religion and gender, but her family never doubted her decision. With the support of her parents and coaches, she soon got into the Under-19 state team and then the under-23 team, where she once picked up six wickets against Goa

Years later, she made it to the state team, where she had to change her bowling style. She adapted quickly. In the recently concluded Senior One Day trophy, she ran through Bihar’s batting order to pick four wickets. Today, Nadia is one of the best all-rounders Jammu has ever produced.


If you have information on schools, colleges or academies that support girls cricket in Jammu and Kashmir, contact us and we’ll add it to this page!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *