Rest of India win Irani Cup by 167 runs

Rest of India won the 2026 Irani Cup by 167 runs after dismissing Jammu and Kashmir for 111 in the visitors’ second innings, with fast bowler Mukesh Kumar taking six wickets for 33 runs to lead the decisive attack. Jammu and Kashmir had been chasing 279 after gaining a 41-run first-innings lead, but their innings lasted 28.4 overs. The result gave Rest of India the title against the reigning Ranji Trophy champions. Mukesh’s figures came in 10.4 overs, and his wickets included captain Paras Dogra, who was bowled for a duck, and Shubham Pundir. Mukesh also claimed three wickets in four deliveries late in the innings, according to match accounts. Jammu and Kashmir made a promising start to the chase. Openers Qamran Iqbal and Shubham Khajuria added 54 runs before Akash Deep dismissed Iqbal. Mukesh then removed Pundir and Dogra in successive deliveries, putting the batting side under pressure. Khajuria was dismissed after the interval, and wickets continued to fall as the innings collapsed. Akash Deep took three wickets in the second innings, including those of both opening batters, and finished with three for 25 in nine overs, according to one match account.