Government of India recognizes 'Kashmir Willow' cricket bats as handicraft

The Salix alba willow tree is abundantly found in Kashmir and is believed to have been discovered over 300 years ago. Kashmir, which thrives on business generated out of natural resources also holds importance for the cricket bats made out of the Kashmir Willow. For ages, English Willow has been considered as the superior quality and choice of cricketers as they enter the field to display their pyro-techniques. 

The Kashmir Willow bats were reportedly used by players from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, West Indies, and Sri Lanka during the ODI World Cup 2023. The craft has now caught the attention of the Ministry of Textiles under the National Handicraft Development Programme (NHDP). The Ministry of Textiles has validated ‘Kashmir Willow' cricket bats as a major part of the handicraft industry. This will boost the bat manufacturers and artisans across the valley to flourish under the guidance of the NHDP scheme and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS).

''Bat manufacturing has been going on since 100 years and traditionally we have been making the bat with hand tools and now with the opening of the avenues for the artisans, it will entitle them to all the schemes of the government of India and the schemes that are in vogue from handicrafts and that's how they will be benefitted. The Handicraft department realises the potential of Kashmir willow and In this regard, we have submitted a dossier for GI of Kashmir willow. We are expecting it to happen soon,'' said Mahmood Ahmad Shah, Director of Handicrafts, Kashmir.

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Kashmir bats brace to compete with traditional English Willow 

The ping of the bat is what a player looks at before wielding the blade. And the ping is decided by the number of grains the face of the bat exudes. Speaking of grains, those are nothing but the fine natural lines on the wood which reflect the sturdiness of the wood while also proving the lightness when handled. English willow bats are famously known to possess such lines in good number in comparison with the Kashmir willow.

Also Read: Kashmir willow bats to dazzle in 2023 ODI World Cup

On the other hand, Kashmir Willow is more on the brown side while English willow possesses a white surface. Kashmir Willow was also infamous for its heavy weight in comparison with English and the lack of research and development raised questions on it craftsmanship. As it stands out, with 400 manufacturing units alone in the Anantnag and Pulwama districts, the craftsmanship could be termed an industry-standard in the present time.