Late February in Hubballi is warm and nearly silent. By mid-morning, players are squinting against the sun as the concrete outside KSCA Stadium radiates heat. That morning, Qamran Iqbal, who had driven from Srinagar overnight, hardly slept before getting out of a car. Back home he had been wrapped in winter air less than twelve hours before. He was now preparing for a final for the Ranji Trophy.
It’s difficult to ignore how quickly cricket careers can change course. One teammate was hurt. One phone call late at night. One boarding pass was quickly booked. He wasn’t even in the starting lineup until 9:30 PM the night before. With the new ball seaming around, he faced Karnataka’s fast bowlers by 9:30 AM the following day. Even experienced professionals can be shaken by that kind of whiplash. The 24-year-old may have found it too much to handle after 14 first-class games.
He only managed to score six points in his first inning. A short visit. There had to have been a glimmer of doubt as he walked back to the pavilion, helmet under his arm. He might have questioned whether he had lost his opportunity. India’s domestic cricket scene is harsh; chances come and go in silence. However, the story changed in the second inning.
Jammu & Kashmir was under pressure to hold onto a sizable lead when he returned to the crease. His outside edge was being tested as Karnataka’s bowlers thudded short balls into the pitch in an attempt to take early wickets. A delivery made by Vidyadhar Patil once brushed the top of the off-stump. The bails shook. They stayed upright. Fielders stopped. He did, too. Sport can sometimes depend on insignificant details.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Qamran Iqbal Lone |
| Born | October 17, 2001 – Srinagar, Kashmir, India |
| Age | 24 |
| Role | Opening Batter |
| Batting Style | Right-hand bat |
| Bowling Style | Legbreak |
| Current Team | Jammu and Kashmir |
| First-Class Debut | 2018–19 Ranji Trophy |
| Notable Score | 133* (First-Class) |
| ESPNcricinfo Profile | https://www.espncricinfo.com/player/qamran-iqbal-1169609 |
| Wikipedia Profile | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qamran_Iqbal |
Qamran Iqbal then started to put together an innings that was more measured than spectacular. He stayed well outside off, taking verbal abuse and occasionally hitting back with sharp drives that caused the field to split. The mood changed when Vyshak dug in short and was hit with a pulled six. He seems to take pleasure in conflict without bragging about it.
His career is still in its early stages statistically. He averages just over 31 in first-class cricket and has scored one century, a 133* earlier in the season. He averages almost 37 in List A matches, indicating versatility in a variety of formats. Although not particularly impressive by IPL standards, his T20 strike rate of 121 is still respectable. These figures don’t shout “inevitability” at you. They mutter the possibility.
He rose through the Jammu & Kashmir Under-16 and Under-19 ranks, even playing for India at the Under-19 level. He was born in Srinagar. The road is rarely easy for Valley-based players. Development is frequently complicated by travel interruptions, a lack of exposure, and erratic training circumstances. One gets the impression that resilience is ingrained in the current generation of J&K players. They bat as though they know that nothing is certain.
Tension in the Ranji final permeated more than just individual conflicts. As the lead grew beyond 400, the Karnataka players seemed irritated. They spoke to each other. Body language became rigid. In the meantime, Qamran continued to punch through cover, accumulate, nudge, and bat. Raising his bat with something more like relief than flamboyance, he finished undefeated on 94.
Whether that inning turns out to be a game-changing moment or just a timely addition to a bigger team effort is still up in the air. Early hype in domestic cricket is often dampened. A promising story can be ruined in a single weak season. His temperament, however, encourages cautious optimism for some reason.
There is an abundance of talent in Indian cricket today, particularly at the top of the order. More than just technique is needed to break through; timing, visibility, and consistent performance are also necessary. Selectors, teams, and coaches who invest in young athletes frequently seek consistency. Under pressure, is he able to deliver another 90? When the scrutiny gets more intense, another hundred? Those questions remain.
The way that people view cricket in Jammu & Kashmir is subtly changing as a result of this. The area was considered to be on the periphery of the domestic structure for many years. That story seems out of date now that players like Qamran Iqbal are making it to the finals and remaining composed. According to reports, there was more buzz of belief than surprise in the Hubballi dressing room that week. Perhaps the most telling change is that.
Tall and calm at the crease, he can be a little impatient early in his innings but settles down once he gets into a rhythm. Minor technical issues have been brought to the attention of coaches. Spectators argue over his ceiling. However, there are many cricket players throughout history who based their careers more on their personalities than on the rules of the game.
