North Zone hopes on two emerging talents from Jammu and Kashmir: Know about it

North Zone is currently leading the race against East Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2025. In the first innings of the match, when East Zone was heavily dependent on Manishi, an emerging spinner, North Zone wrapped up their innings after a pure team game. Without any century or crazy batting, they registered 405 runs for 10 wickets. 

Kanhaiya Wadhawan was the highest scorer in the phase of the game for the North Zone with 76 runs, while another player from Jammu and Kashmir, Auqib Nabi, chipped in with a quick 44-run inning. Both J&K cricketers Kanhaiya and Auqib are considered highly talented prospects in domestic cricket. 

Who is Kanhaiya Wadhawan?

Kanhaiya is a 23-year-old keeper-batter hailing from Jammu, currently representing North Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2025 against East Zone. According to stats from ESPNcricinfo, the middle-order batter so far played 4 First Class matches and 8 innings to score 310 runs, including a highest score of 84 at an average of 44.28. His last couple of FC matches with J&K were absolutely phenomenal. Against Baroda in Vadodara, he scored 71 & 84 in the first and second innings, respectively. In the next match, which was against Kerala, the emerging cricketer went in the middle to score 48 & 64 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. 

Read More: Meet Manishi, teammate of Mohammed Shami who took 6 wickets in Duleep Trophy 2025 tie

Kanhaiya made his FC debut in 2018 when he played a 24-run knock in his first FC appearance for J&K. During the previous Ranji Trophy season, Jammu and Kashmir stunned cricket fans when they took down a heavyweight Mumbai cricket team to ensure a 5-wicket win. Wadhawan was a crucial part of the game. He remained firm on the track and scored an unbeaten 19 to achieve the historic win. 

Who is Auqib Nabi?

28-year-old Nabi has gained ample amount of experience playing for Jammu and Kashmir in domestic cricket. The pace bowling allrounder known for his quick fire batting abilities and economical bowling. Against Kerala in a Ranji Trophy 2025 fixture, he scored 32 runs and picked 6 wickets in the first innings. During the historic win against Mumbai, Nabi again proved himself as a key figure. In the first innings he took a couple of wickets and then in the second innings, he ensured another 4 wickets. Star Mumbai batters like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Shardul Thakur fell short against the promising allrounder.