The Irani Cup 2026-27 is set to bring together the best of India’s domestic red-ball cricket as Ranji Trophy champions Jammu & Kashmir take on a strong Rest of India side. The prestigious five-day first-class fixture will be particularly significant this season as Jammu & Kashmir prepare to play the Irani Cup after winning their maiden Ranji Trophy title.

With several players carrying international experience, the Irani Cup 2026 promises an exciting contest between established names and some of the leading performers from domestic cricket.

Irani Cup 2026-27 Date and Venue

The Jammu & Kashmir vs Rest of India Irani Cup match will be played from October 1 to October 5, 2026. The match will begin at 9:30 AM IST each day.

The fixture will take place at the Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar. The venue is hosting the Irani Cup for the first time, adding further significance to the contest. The match also marks a major return of high-profile cricket to Srinagar, with the fixture attracting considerable attention from local fans.

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What Is the Irani Cup?

The Irani Cup is an annual first-class cricket match played between the reigning Ranji Trophy champions and a Rest of India team selected by the BCCI.

First played during the 1959-60 season, the competition has traditionally served as an important platform for domestic cricketers to test themselves against some of the country's best players. Over the years, the match has also featured several players who went on to establish themselves in international cricket.

Irani Cup 2026-27 Squads

Jammu & Kashmir will be led by experienced batter Paras Dogra. Their squad includes players such as Shubham Khajuria, Qamran Iqbal, Shubham Pundir, Abdul Samad, Abid Mushtaq, Sahil Lotra and Umar Nazir.

The Rest of India squad will be captained by India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, with Sarfaraz Khan named vice-captain. The squad also includes Sanat Sangwan, Shikhar Mohan, Sudip Gharami, Smaran Ravichandran, Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain, Mukesh Kumar, Mukesh Choudhary, Aryan Juyal, Anukul Roy and Ayush Doseja. Akash Deep is included subject to fitness clearance.

Rishabh Pant Headlines Rest of India Squad

Rishabh Pant's presence is one of the biggest talking points surrounding the Irani Cup 2026-27. The India wicketkeeper-batter will lead Rest of India and will be expected to provide experience to a squad featuring several promising domestic performers.

Sarfaraz Khan will also be an important player after being appointed vice-captain, while the squad includes several batters who impressed during the previous Ranji Trophy campaign.

Jammu & Kashmir Eye Historic Double

After securing their first-ever Ranji Trophy title, Jammu & Kashmir now have the opportunity to complete a memorable domestic double. Their campaign will be led by Paras Dogra, while players such as Abdul Samad will be expected to make an impact with the bat.

The Irani Cup 2026-27 therefore carries significance beyond a single domestic fixture. It gives Jammu & Kashmir the chance to further underline their rise in Indian domestic cricket, while Rest of India will look to demonstrate the depth of talent available across the country's red-ball system.

Why the Irani Cup 2026-27 Matters

The Irani Cup remains one of India's most prestigious domestic first-class matches. With Ranji Trophy champions facing a Rest of India side packed with leading domestic performers and international experience, the contest offers an important test of red-ball skills.

The 2026-27 edition promises an especially memorable occasion with the match being staged in Srinagar and Rishabh Pant leading Rest of India against the newly crowned Ranji Trophy champions Jammu & Kashmir.