Pant named Rest of India captain for Irani Cup in Srinagar

Rishabh Pant has been named captain of the Rest of India squad for the 2026 Irani Cup, a five-day first-class match against Ranji Trophy champions Jammu and Kashmir. The fixture is scheduled to take place at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar from October 1 to 5. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the 15-member squad on Wednesday, with Sarfaraz Khan appointed as vice-captain. Pant's appointment as captain comes after he was not selected in India's ODI squad for the upcoming series against the West Indies, with Dhruv Jurel preferred as the wicketkeeping option. The Irani Cup traditionally pits the Ranji Trophy champions against a Rest of India side, and this year's edition marks the first time Srinagar is hosting the prestigious domestic match. The scheduling of the fixture overlaps with the start of India's ODI series against the West Indies on September 27 and the Asian Games cricket tournament beginning September 28, leaving several frontline players unavailable for the domestic contest. The Rest of India squad includes a mix of experienced domestic performers and players who have been involved in India's international setup.