Suhail Khan
Sopore, Dec 27 : Cricket is not just a game but a passion that defines Kashmir, where this fervor is felt across all ages—from children to youth and elders—each holding a unique perspective on the sport.
For decades, cricket has been a favorite sport in Kashmir, creating a vibrant atmosphere whether in the summer sports fields, filled with the energy of enthusiastic youth, or in the winter months, characterized by indoor cricket and street games. Whether played in agriculture fields, on icy ponds, or in lakes, cricket is a relentless passion in every setting.
Amid the freezing cold of the ongoing 40 harsh days of Chillai Kalan, which have paralyzed normal life in Kashmir, the passion for sports remains unscathed. In a small village on the outskirts of Sopore, children are currently enjoying the game on an iced-over pond.
A video that went viral on social media shows a group of children playing on this ice-covered pond in the Haritar area of Sopore. The video quickly captured the internet’s attention, and since then, children have been seen playing cricket on the frozen surface.
During winter months, when Kashmir is blanketed in snow, many places witness snow cricket tournaments organized over the past several years. In the Gurez Valley of Bandipora district, snow cricket has gained immense popularity, adding excitement to the otherwise monotonous winter days.
In January 2022, Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne shared a video on his Twitter account of young people playing cricket on snow in Gurez, approximately 130 kilometers from Srinagar, commenting: “How good is that.”
In recent years, snow cricket has taken center stage in various parts of Kashmir, providing athletes not only the opportunity to play their favorite sport but also serving as a significant source of entertainment during winter.
So widespread is the popularity of snow cricket in Kashmir that Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned it in his radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat.’ He suggested to tourists, “Next time when you visit Kashmir during winter, take your time to watch snow cricket. That will make your trip more memorable,” as he noted in last year’s broadcast.
The inaugural snow cricket tournament was held in St. Moritz, Switzerland, in 2018, showcasing renowned former international players such as Mike Hussey, Virender Sehwag, Shahid Afridi, and Mahela Jayawardene.
Building on the success of the Ice Cricket Tournament in Switzerland, plans were made for the first ice cricket tournament in Kashmir, which was scheduled to begin on February 15, 2019, in Pahalgam, a well-known tourist hotspot.
This highly anticipated event was expected to feature Parvez Rasool, the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to represent India, alongside Bangladeshi cricketer Anamul Haque Bijoy. However, the tournament had to be canceled following the tragic Pulwama suicide attack that took the lives of over 40 paramilitary personnel, leading to the unfortunate cancellation of the match.
At present, Kashmir is experiencing ‘Chillai-Kalan,’ recognized as the toughest phase of winter, which commenced on December 21. During these 40 days, snowfall is most frequent, and temperatures drop significantly.
This period will conclude on January 30 of the upcoming year; however, the cold weather is expected to persist. The 40 days of Chillai-Kalan are succeeded by a 20-day phase known as ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day period referred to as ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold).
