On Sunday, October 4, at Srinagar’s Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium, ‘Rest of India’ (ROI) delivered a magnificent all-round performance to defeat Jammu & Kashmir by 167 runs and clinch the Irani Cup 2026 title. Powered by Smaran Ravichandran’s superb batting and Mukesh Kumar’s lethal bowling in the second innings, ROI asserted their dominance over the home team.
Rest of India defeated Jammu & Kashmir by 167 runs and clinch the Irani Cup 2026 title
Batting first, ‘Rest of India’ scored 237 runs, with Smaran Ravichandran (68) and Shikhar Mohan (60) making significant contributions. Jammu & Kashmir’s bowlers responded strongly; Sunil Kumar and Lone Nasir Muzaffar claimed three wickets each.
In reply, Jammu & Kashmir posted 278 runs—thanks to innings from the experienced Paras Dogra (75), Muzaffar (64), and Abdul Samad (57)—securing a 41-run first-innings lead. For ‘Rest of India’, Mukesh Choudhary bowled brilliantly, taking five wickets (5/78).
The match turned decisively during ROI’s second innings. Despite trailing, ‘Rest of India’ scored 319 runs, driven by Ravichandran’s aggressive knock of 135 off 153 balls (featuring 16 fours and five sixes). Crucial partnerships with Manav Suthar and Mukesh Choudhary set a challenging target for Jammu & Kashmir amidst the difficult conditions of the fourth innings.
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Chasing the target, Jammu & Kashmir’s batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of the fast bowling. Indian fast bowler Mukesh Kumar delivered a magnificent spell, claiming 6 wickets for 33 runs and dismantling the opposition’s middle and lower order. Akash Deep also took 3 wickets for 25 runs, helping to bundle out the entire Jammu & Kashmir team for just 111 runs. Shubham Khajuria was the top scorer for the host team with 36 runs, but Rest of India (ROI) secured a resounding victory.
Smaran Ravichandran was named ‘Player of the Match’ for scoring over 200 runs across the two innings, sealing a memorable championship win for Rest of India.
