Rest of India produced a sensational bowling performance to defeat Ranji Trophy champions Jammu and Kashmir by 167 runs and lift the 2026 Irani Cup. Despite a difficult batting outing for captain Rishabh Pant, Rest of India held their nerve to turn the game around after conceding a 41-run first-innings lead.
Rest of India were bowled out for just 237 in their first innings, with Pant failing to make a significant contribution. Jammu and Kashmir responded with 278, gaining the upper hand before Rest of India fought back strongly in their second innings.
Smaran Ravichandran emerged as one of the architects of the recovery, while the lower order helped Rest of India post 319 in their second innings. That left J&K with a target of 279, knowing that a draw would also have been enough for them to retain the Irani Cup advantage as Ranji champions.
Mukesh and Akash tear through J&K
Jammu and Kashmir began the chase positively, with openers Shubham Khajuria and Kamran Iqbal adding 54 runs for the first wicket. Akash Deep broke the partnership by trapping Iqbal lbw, before Mukesh Kumar struck twice in the 15th over, removing Shubham Pundir and captain Paras Dogra off consecutive deliveries.
J&K reached lunch at 89/3, with Khajuria unbeaten on 36 and Abdul Samad on six. But Akash Deep struck with the first ball after lunch to dismiss Khajuria, triggering a dramatic collapse. J&K lost six wickets for only 22 runs over the next nine overs as Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep ripped through the middle and lower order. Mukesh finished with six wickets in the second innings, while Akash claimed three as J&K were bowled out for just 111.
Although Pant struggled with the bat in both innings, his leadership proved decisive. Sarfaraz Khan contributed 45 in the first innings but was dismissed for a duck in the second. For India, Akash Deep’s match-winning display will be particularly encouraging ahead of the New Zealand tour. Having returned from injury, his sharp bowling suggests he is back to full fitness and firmly in contention for selection.
Brief Scores: Rest of India 237 (Smaran 68, Sunil 3-36) and 319 (Smaran 135, Sunil 3-56) beat Jammu & Kashmir 278 (Dogra 75, Choudhary 5-78) and 111 (Khajuria 36, Mukesh Kumar 6-33) by 167 runs
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