Overview
- JKCA directed the squad to assemble via Chennai on January 16 and travel by bus to Pondicherry under official arrangements, prohibiting individual movement.
- No explanation was provided for Malik’s omission following one wicketless Ranji appearance and six wickets in five Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches this season.
- Senior opener Qamran Iqbal was also left out, while Dikshant Kundal and Kawalpreet Singh were added and Umar Nazir and Shubham Pundir were recalled.
- Jammu & Kashmir play Pondicherry on January 22–25 at Siechem Stadium, then Himachal Pradesh on January 29–February 1 in Nadaun, with head coach Ajay Sharma joining on January 17.
- J&K are second in Elite Group D, and Malik remains retained by Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2026 at Rs 75 lakh.