New Delhi, Oct. 10 -- Last season, Jammu & Kashmir climbed to the summit of domestic cricket to be crowned Ranji Trophy champions. It was the classic underdog tale where a side went from being contenders to challengers and eventually, champions. The win was expected to create a kind of ripple effect and maybe, it has. But more is needed.

Last season's hero Auqib Nabi receiving an India call-up, Srinagar staging a major cricket fixture with the Irani Cup and several players joining the larger North Zone team during the Duleep Trophy suggest the region is entering the mainstream.

Yet, while the team's fortunes have risen, the infrastructure available to its cricketers has struggled to keep pace.

As they begin their Ranji Trophy title def...