Rest of India clinched the 2026-27 Irani Trophy with a 167-run victory over Jammu & Kashmir in Srinagar. Mukesh Kumar was instrumental in this success, claiming six wickets for just 33 runs, his 11th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. Mukesh, supported robustly by his Bengal colleague Akash Deep—who took 3 for 25—capitalised on his brisk pace to reduce Jammu & Kashmir to 111 all out while they were pursuing a target of 279.
The foundation for this win, however, was laid by Ravichandran Smaran. His innings of 68 and 135 were pivotal in lifting Rest of India from precarious moments in both innings, securing victory despite trailing after the first innings.
The Rest of India team started the day at 306 for 8, ultimately adding only 13 more runs. Fast bowler Sunil Kumar claimed both wickets, with Mukesh Choudhary attempting an extravagant shot only to have his stumps shattered. This dismissed a crucial 113-run stand for the ninth wicket, achieved in just 139 balls, which had pulled the team from the troubles at 197 for 8.
Smaran’s valiant effort ended with him being bowled out for 135 by Sunil, marking Rest of India’s end at 319. Thus, Mukesh Kumar’s excellence with the ball and Ravichandran Smaran’s heroics with the bat secured the much-coveted trophy for Rest of India.
Full details on the match will follow shortly.
