Bandipora, Dec. 9 -- Suhail Rather

In Bandipora's Ajar village, the sound of leather on willow is scripting a revolution. For four years, sisters Madiha Fayaz and Sania Fayaz have turned makeshift grounds into their arena, balancing academics and intense training with a singular focus: cricket. Their relentless dedication has now propelled them into the spotlight as the newest icons of women's cricket in Jammu and Kashmir.

The turning point came last month when the Bandipora district women's team clinched the UT-Level Cricket Tournament title. At the helm was Madiha Fayaz, whose captaincy was marked by composure and a steadfast emphasis on teamwork. "It was a transformative experience," Madiha told Kashmir News Service (KNS). "It taught...