With the World Cup currently underway, the demand for cricket bats made from Kashmiri willow has increased significantly. Bat sellers Kabeer say local and domestic-level players from across the country are purchasing Kashmiri willow bats in large numbers due to their quality and affordability.
They said many parents are also buying cricket bats for their children, hoping they will grow up to become cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. Tourists visiting Kashmir are equally showing keen interest in Kashmiri willow bats.
Kabeer said that Kashmiri willow cricket bats are now gaining recognition beyond India. “Our bats are currently being sent to and used in many international countries, which reflects the growing trust in the quality of Kashmiri willow,” he said.
A tourist said, “I want my child to become a cricketer.They have good bat’s here and the quality is very good..”
Another bat seller, Adil, said that the ongoing World Cup has proved beneficial for them. “The World Cup is underway in our country and we thank Allah for that. It has benefited us a lot.
Tourists as well as local players are buying bats in large numbers. Our work is going very well, and the demand is so high that we are unable to make more bats,” he said.
The rising demand, both at the national and international level, has provided a major boost to the local bat-making industry and created better livelihood opportunities for local artisans.(JKNS)
