Rest of India secured their 31st Irani Cup title with a 167-run victory over Jammu & Kashmir at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar. The final day’s play was defined by a bowling spell from Mukesh Kumar, who took 6 for 33 to dismiss the first-time Ranji Trophy champions for 111.
Chasing 279 for victory, Jammu & Kashmir began the fourth day strongly, reaching 54 without loss. However, the hosts suffered a collapse, losing all ten wickets for 57 runs. Mukesh Kumar claimed three wickets in his final four deliveries to end the match, finishing with ten wickets in the game. J&K, playing in their maiden Irani Cup after winning the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, were unable to stabilize their innings once the opening stand was broken.
Player of the Match Smaran Ravichandran provided the foundation for the win. Following a 68 in the first innings, Ravichandran scored 135 in the second, helping Rest of India recover from 197 for 8 to reach a final total of 319. His lower-order partnerships effectively took the target beyond the reach of the home side.
Reflecting on his role in the middle order, Ravichandran credited his domestic experience: “I’ve been in these situations a lot throughout my career. Back in Karnataka, in home league matches as well as for the state, I’ve been in a lot of situations like this. I have the game awareness of how to bat with the tail.”
Rest of India captain Rishabh Pant was absent from the field on the final day due to a high fever. Sarfaraz Khan assumed captaincy duties in his stead, overseeing the bowling changes as the J&K batting lineup faltered against the ROI attack. Despite the presence of experienced players like Paras Dogra, the hosts could not withstand the pressure applied by the ROI seamers.
Analysis of the match suggests Mukesh Kumar’s efficiency in red-ball conditions strengthens his case for a national team recall. Similarly, Ravichandran’s two rescue acts under pressure have positioned him as a middle-order prospect for higher honors. While Jammu & Kashmir displayed competitive periods in their first hosting of the Irani Cup, the clinical efficiency of the Rest of India squad determined the final outcome.
