The Rest of India have lifted the Irani Cup after producing a stunning bowling performance against Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar. The Ranji Trophy champions were bowled out for just 111 runs in their second innings, handing Rest of India a convincing 167-run victory and ending J&K’s hopes of completing a historic domestic double.
Jammu and Kashmir had already created history by winning their maiden Ranji Trophy title. That triumph had put them in contention for another major domestic crown, but their Irani Cup campaign ended in disappointment as the Rest of India fast bowlers completely took control on the fourth day.
The victory was set up by an impressive all-round performance from Rest of India, but the final blow came from Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep. Mukesh was almost unplayable during the decisive innings, finishing with six wickets, while Akash Deep added three more as J&K collapsed dramatically after making a promising start.
The final result was particularly harsh on Jammu and Kashmir because the chase initially appeared to be under control.
J&K start strongly before spectacular collapse
Rest of India had entered the final day with a substantial advantage. After being set a target of 279 runs, Jammu and Kashmir needed a disciplined batting performance to keep their Irani Cup hopes alive.
The opening pair gave them exactly the start they needed.
J&K’s openers put together a 54-run partnership, creating some early belief in the dressing room. The target was still challenging, but the team had enough time to build a competitive chase.
Then everything changed.
Once the opening partnership was broken, wickets began to fall at regular intervals. Rest of India’s fast bowlers sensed an opportunity and attacked relentlessly. Mukesh Kumar was particularly effective, repeatedly finding the right areas and giving the J&K batsmen almost no opportunity to settle.
Akash Deep provided the perfect support from the other end.
What had looked like a potentially interesting chase quickly became a procession back to the pavilion.
Jammu and Kashmir were eventually dismissed for just 111 runs in 28.4 overs, meaning they did not even reach half of the target they had been set.
Opener Shubham Khajuria was J&K’s top scorer with 36 runs, but there was very little resistance from the rest of the batting order.
Mukesh Kumar finished with six wickets, while Akash Deep claimed three wickets. Together, the pair accounted for nine of the ten J&K wickets that fell to the bowlers, underlining just how dominant the Rest of India pace attack was.
The collapse also highlighted the importance of domestic red-ball cricket as a pathway for India’s Test setup. Both Mukesh and Akash have experience at the international level, and their ability to exploit conditions in a high-pressure domestic final made the difference.
Smaran Ravichandran’s century sets up the victory
Rest of India’s victory was not solely about the bowlers. Their batting performance had already put them in a commanding position.
Their second innings ended during the first session on Sunday, October 4, with the team adding only 14 runs to its overnight score before being bowled out for 320.
The standout performer with the bat was Smaran Ravichandran, who produced a crucial century. He finished with 135 runs, staying at the crease while several of his teammates came and went around him.
His innings proved extremely valuable because it allowed Rest of India to establish a target that put pressure firmly on the Ranji Trophy champions.
With 279 runs required, J&K knew they needed something special. Instead, their batting collapsed in less than 30 overs.
That contrast ultimately defined the match: Rest of India’s batters created the platform, and their fast bowlers completed the job.
Rishabh Pant misses the final day
There was also an interesting subplot surrounding Rishabh Pant, who was leading Rest of India during the match.
Pant did not take the field on the final day after suffering from a high fever. The wicketkeeper-batter had already been struggling with his health since the third day, which also affected his position in the batting order.
He came in at No. 8 during Rest of India’s second innings rather than occupying his usual position higher up the order.
With Pant unavailable on the final day, Sarfaraz Khan took over the captaincy and guided Rest of India through the final stage of the contest.
It was an unusual situation for a major domestic final, but Rest of India managed to remain composed and finish the job without their regular captain on the field.
J&K miss chance to create another piece of history
For Jammu and Kashmir, the defeat will hurt, but their overall domestic season remains historic.
Their maiden Ranji Trophy title was one of the biggest stories in Indian domestic cricket. The team had already demonstrated that it could compete with and defeat some of the country’s strongest domestic sides.
The Irani Cup offered them the opportunity to go one step further.
Winning both the Ranji Trophy and Irani Cup in the same season would have created an extraordinary domestic double. However, Rest of India proved too strong when the pressure was at its highest.
The 167-run defeat also shows how quickly a red-ball match can change. J&K’s 54-run opening stand suggested that the chase could develop into a close contest, but the fall of the first wicket opened the door for Rest of India’s quicks.
From there, Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep never allowed J&K to recover.
Mukesh Kumar emerges as the match-winning star
The biggest individual takeaway from the final was undoubtedly Mukesh Kumar’s six-wicket haul.
His performance came at exactly the right moment for Rest of India. With J&K needing 279 runs, the bowling side needed early breakthroughs to prevent the chase from gathering momentum.
Mukesh delivered.
His six wickets effectively destroyed the J&K batting order, while Akash Deep’s three wickets ensured there was no late resistance.
For Rest of India, it was the ideal combination of patience and aggression. They did not need to defend the target defensively. Instead, their seamers attacked the opposition and forced mistakes.
The final scoreline tells the story: Rest of India 167-run winners and Irani Cup champions.
For Jammu and Kashmir, the dream of a domestic double is over. For Rest of India, it is another memorable Irani Cup triumph built on a strong batting contribution from Smaran Ravichandran and a devastating pace-bowling display from Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep.
The match also provided another reminder of the depth available in Indian domestic cricket. Players such as Mukesh, Akash, Smaran and Sarfaraz continue to make their case on the biggest domestic stage, while J&K’s remarkable Ranji Trophy campaign ensures their season will still be remembered as a landmark moment.
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