Jammu, Jan 8 (.) Based on the scrutiny of the score sheets and records, the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Youth Services and Sports on the observations of the committee constituted have ordered the conduct of fresh trial matches among the shortlisted players to select the Under-14 Jammu and Kashmir boys cricket team for participation in 69th National school Games.
The championship is scheduled to be held in Sikar, Rajasthan, from January 19 to 23 and the team slated to depart on January 16.
As per the order (accessed by .) issued by the Director General Youth Services and Sports, J&K, Anuradha Gupta stated that the committee arrived at the conclusion that the selection was not found to be fully in accordance with the performance reflected in the available score sheets and therefore, does not meet the required standards of transparency and fairness.
The Jammu and Kashmir Directorate of Youth Services and Sports had framed a committee to scrutinize documents and score sheets prepared during competitions held at ‘Inter District UT level’ matches of Cricket League after controversy sparked over selection of the Under-14 J&K cricket team for the 69th National School Games.
The controversy erupted over the composition of the selected squad, in which, out of the 16 players named in the main list, three players from the Jammu region were selected, while just one Jammu-based player figures among the seven standby players.
However, as per the order, the Director General, J&K DYSS said that in view of the facts and keeping in mind the limited time available, the Scrutiny Committee recommended that the selection of the Under-14 Cricket Team may be conducted afresh, adding, “the best performers as reflected in the available score sheets may be shortlisted immediately.”
“On the basis of the available score sheets, four teams consisting of twelve (12) players each can be constituted. Trial league matches may be conducted to ensure that every player is given a fair and equal opportunity to showcase talent. For the purpose of final team selection, trial matches may be conducted at the earliest among the shortlisted players,” she said in an order.
She further said that the final team may be selected strictly on the basis of performance in these trial matches only to ensure merit-based selection.
“Whereas, after due consideration, the report submitted by the Committee is accepted and in the interest of justice and fair play, it is hereby ordered that fresh selection trial matches will be conducted in accordance with the recommendations contained in the report,” she added.
The DG Sports further stated that the trial matches shall be held under the direct supervision of Joint Director, Youth Services and Sports, Jammu and the schedule for the trial matches shall be notified separately.
Elaborating the facts of the case, the Director General as per the order expressed that the Inter-District UT Level competition in the discipline of Cricket (Under-14 Boys) was held at District Budgam from November 3 to 8, 2025 and a complaint was received regarding an allegedly over-aged player from District Bandipora, pursuant to which the Directorate, directed DYSSO Budgam to get the Age Verification Tests conducted for the participating players.
Accordingly, the tests were conducted by the District Medical Board Budgam and the reports endorsed by the Chief Medical Officer, Budgam confirmed that the age of players were around 14 only and with the conclusion of the UT level competitions at District Budgam, a team comprising 16 players and seven standby players was selected by the selection committee.
“The selection list was thereafter submitted by the Joint Director, Youth Services and Sports, Kashmir to the Directorate for review and further necessary action and before the selection list could be accepted by the Directorate and the registrations be done on the SGFI portal, some social media post was circulated regarding unfair selections and regional bias on January 4, 2026,” read an order.
In accordance with the guidelines, the Directorate exercised its authority to review the selection process, immediately, a five-member committee was constituted to submit their report by January 5, 2026 and as per its mandate, the committee submitted its report after scrutiny that the score sheets were not properly maintained, lacked uniformity and contained discrepancies.
The deficiencies observed, indicate serious lapses on the part of scorers, organizers, making the score sheets unreliable for fair assessment and the committee also observed substantial violations in the selection too, read an order further said that as several deserving and consistent performers appear to have been left out of the final squad as per score sheets although the committee has not specifically pointed out any regional bias.
“The committee clarified that other selection parameters such as technical skills, match temperament, fitness and on-field performance are assessed during live competition, which falls under the discretion of the selectors and was beyond the scope of scrutiny at this level,” it further read adding, “as admitted by the committee, other selection parameters such as technical skills, match temperament, fitness and on-field performance are assessed during live competition, which falls under the discretion of the selectors and cannot be scrutinized after the competitions are over.”
. VBH .