The Rest of India team secured the Irani Cup title on Sunday, comprehensively defeating the reigning Ranji Trophy champions, Jammu and Kashmir, by a margin of 167 runs. The decisive victory was largely orchestrated by the potent pace attack of Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep, who shared nine wickets between them on the final day of the match.
Chasing a target of 279 runs to win the coveted trophy, Jammu and Kashmir needed to bat out for a draw, a scenario made possible by their slender 41-run first-innings lead. However, the formidable bowling performance from Rest of India, spearheaded by Mukesh Kumar’s exceptional spell of 6 wickets for 33 runs and Akash Deep’s crucial contributions, dismantled Jammu and Kashmir’s batting lineup, bowling them out for a mere 111 runs. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the pressure of the chase and the quality of the bowling proved too much for the home side.
The Jammu and Kashmir innings began with a promising 54-run opening partnership between Shubham Khajuria and Qamran Iqbal, offering a glimmer of hope for a favourable outcome. However, Akash Deep broke the crucial alliance by trapping Iqbal leg before wicket. The momentum shifted further just before lunch when Mukesh Kumar delivered a double blow in the 15th over, dismissing Shubham Pundir and the Jammu and Kashmir skipper, Paras Dogra, on successive deliveries. Dogra’s dismissal was particularly notable, as a well-executed outswinger beat his defence and disturbed the middle stump. At the lunch interval, Jammu and Kashmir were precariously placed at 89 for three, with Khajuria batting on 36 and Abdul Samad on 6.
The post-lunch session witnessed a dramatic collapse for Jammu and Kashmir. On the very first ball after the break, Akash Deep struck again, removing Khajuria. This dismissal triggered a rapid decline, with the team losing the next six wickets for a mere 22 runs within the subsequent nine overs. Akash Deep’s impressive performance in the match, taking six wickets across 23.3 overs, is likely to be a significant boost for the national selectors, especially with an upcoming tour to New Zealand on the horizon. His recovery and form suggest he is a strong contender for selection.
Earlier in the day, Rest of India, resuming their second innings from an overnight score of 306 for eight, added just 13 runs before being bowled out for 319. The Jammu and Kashmir bowling unit, featuring Umar Nazir, Sunil Kumar, and Sahil Lotra, each claimed three wickets, showcasing their resilience. However, their efforts with the bat in the second innings were ultimately overshadowed by the superior bowling performance of Rest of India, who emerged as deserving champions.
The final scores reflect the dominance of Rest of India. They posted 237 in their first innings and 319 in their second, setting a challenging target for Jammu and Kashmir. In response, Jammu and Kashmir managed 278 in their first innings, giving them a slight advantage, but faltered significantly in their second innings, being all out for 111 in 28.4 overs. The standout bowling figures for Rest of India were Mukesh Kumar with 6/33 and Akash Deep with 3/25, sealing the 167-run victory.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.