Archive · 7 Jan 2026
J-K U-14 Cricket Team Faces Bias Inquiry
There is a big discussion about the selection of a young cricket team from Jammu and Kashmir for a national competition.
Some parents and politicians from Jammu think the selection was not fair because most players are from Kashmir, and only a few are from Jammu.
The government has set up a group of experts to check the selection process.
Some people in Jammu say that Kashmiri players look older and might not be the correct age, but the selection committee says they have checked and all players are under 14.
This is not the first time this has happened.
Earlier, there was a similar issue with a football team.
Some people think these problems show that there is growing tension between Jammu and Kashmir.
The government is trying to fix this by moving offices between the two regions, but it's not clear if this is working.
Allegations of regional bias in the selection of the Under-14 cricket team for the National School Games.
Only three players from Jammu were selected, prompting an inquiry by the J&K administration.
A five-member committee, including former national and domestic players, will scrutinize the selection process.
Similar allegations were made earlier regarding the selection of the Santosh Trophy football team.
Political observers see these controversies as indicating growing tensions between Jammu and Kashmir since 2019.
- Who
- Jammu and Kashmir Youth Services and Sports Department, parents, committee members, and political figures
- What
- Inquiry into alleged regional bias in Under-14 cricket team selection
- When
- January 19 to 23, 2026 (games), November 2023 (trials)
- Where
- Jammu and Kashmir, India; games in Sikar, Rajasthan
- Why
- Allegations of skewed representation and overage players in trials
Jammu Region
Kashmir Region
Team Representation
Jammu Region
Alleges underrepresentation in the U-14 cricket team with only 3 players from Jammu.
Kashmir Region
Defends the selection, noting that Kashmiris have historically been underrepresented in regional teams.
Player Age and Physique
Jammu Region
Claims some Kashmiri players appear older and have better physiques, suggesting potential age fraud.
Kashmir Region
Denies age fraud, stating that bone tests confirmed all players are under 14, and attributes physique differences to topography.
Regional vs. Religious Identity
Jammu Region
Frames the issue as a regional identity conflict, despite the underlying religious divide.
Kashmir Region
Highlights the success of Kashmiri players in national and IPL cricket, suggesting merit-based selection.
- Event
- Inquiry into Under-14 cricket team selection for National School Games
- Location
- Jammu and Kashmir, India
- Date of Games
- January 19 to 23, 2026
- Venue
- Sikar, Rajasthan
- Committee Members
- Pankaj Sasan, Jagtar Singh, Paramjeet Singh, Mukesh Sharma, Arshad Bhat
- Allegations
- Skewed representation and overage players in trials
- Previous Incident
- Similar outcry over Santosh Trophy football team selection
- Team Composition
- 16 players from Kashmir, 3 from Jammu
- Selection Authority
- Directorate of Youth Services and Sports, headed by Anuradha Gupta