![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/U364AQYN3JHHLPNGPIWCDKLT6E.jpg?smart=true&auth=760f187a6a9c3a5a00e090712b0c5c06fe606e7e77a6ccf3800ce62ec83eb43d&width=400&height=225)
Autographed bats at the NSS Factory.
The village of Sangam is known for its Kashmiri willow bats manufactured by decades-old stores such as the NSS Bat Factory, which was started in 1980. All photos: Kalpana Sunder
Gargantuan hoardings and advertisements of Indian and Pakistani cricketers festoon the fronts of the shops lining the highway.
Willow clefts stacked up to dry at the NSS Factory.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KCVD5ZEGPNCVVMOCGTNKCOFJR4.jpg?smart=true&auth=eafff2e6fcbf1e0049b0b5b20b89601a215265c34defbc974e75dadaf904e6ec&width=400&height=225)
A worker engaged in shearing the correct amount of wood and shaping the bat.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VTUIIS3O4RHJTI632T3CBHWB3A.jpg?smart=true&auth=6453f4a7d4e587bc4cc1a987540b94b0bb5109032d6c615b201ca013de90ad04&width=400&height=225)
Handles are made separately and then attached to each bat.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/APQZJG3BSJC43DDGBHTWNC3OWQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=2d318c6e6e1ca5eb451bd62564cc4eb342402c65ebe5c3c71560d232f89b944a&width=400&height=225)
The NSS Factory store manager holds up an unadorned bat.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5RFDNYHHIZFPNF2ZKHN6ZIIO4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=4118d31cda6d22c0b3b8999ac9a07546be82b7909f322928d3406c83bdb8478b&width=400&height=225)
Nearly completed bats with grips that need polishing.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CROJFMUPM5DAHKSE5Y7WPYVASY.jpg?smart=true&auth=66aec452d3070435a2c10c178006b7855014470705eb63a9fe4f0f53a9841afd&width=400&height=225)
Finished bats on sale at the store.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/U364AQYN3JHHLPNGPIWCDKLT6E.jpg?smart=true&auth=760f187a6a9c3a5a00e090712b0c5c06fe606e7e77a6ccf3800ce62ec83eb43d&width=400&height=225)
Autographed bats at the NSS Factory.
The village of Sangam is known for its Kashmiri willow bats manufactured by decades-old stores such as the NSS Bat Factory, which was started in 1980. All photos: Kalpana Sunder
Gargantuan hoardings and advertisements of Indian and Pakistani cricketers festoon the fronts of the shops lining the highway.
Willow clefts stacked up to dry at the NSS Factory.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KCVD5ZEGPNCVVMOCGTNKCOFJR4.jpg?smart=true&auth=eafff2e6fcbf1e0049b0b5b20b89601a215265c34defbc974e75dadaf904e6ec&width=400&height=225)
A worker engaged in shearing the correct amount of wood and shaping the bat.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VTUIIS3O4RHJTI632T3CBHWB3A.jpg?smart=true&auth=6453f4a7d4e587bc4cc1a987540b94b0bb5109032d6c615b201ca013de90ad04&width=400&height=225)
Handles are made separately and then attached to each bat.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/APQZJG3BSJC43DDGBHTWNC3OWQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=2d318c6e6e1ca5eb451bd62564cc4eb342402c65ebe5c3c71560d232f89b944a&width=400&height=225)
The NSS Factory store manager holds up an unadorned bat.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5RFDNYHHIZFPNF2ZKHN6ZIIO4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=4118d31cda6d22c0b3b8999ac9a07546be82b7909f322928d3406c83bdb8478b&width=400&height=225)
Nearly completed bats with grips that need polishing.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CROJFMUPM5DAHKSE5Y7WPYVASY.jpg?smart=true&auth=66aec452d3070435a2c10c178006b7855014470705eb63a9fe4f0f53a9841afd&width=400&height=225)
Finished bats on sale at the store.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/U364AQYN3JHHLPNGPIWCDKLT6E.jpg?smart=true&auth=760f187a6a9c3a5a00e090712b0c5c06fe606e7e77a6ccf3800ce62ec83eb43d&width=400&height=225)
Autographed bats at the NSS Factory.
Why Kashmir's famed willow cricket bat industry is fighting for a big hit
In a country where cricket is like a religion, bats are obviously prized commodities, but the industry needs sustenance
Kalpana Sunder
16 November, 2021
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