Picture Credit: Getty Images/Jiostar India Pvt Ltd
Mukesh Kumar produced a sensational spell after lunch to claim 6-33 and steer Rest of India to a 167-run victory over Ranji Trophy champions Jammu and Kashmir in the Irani Cup at Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium on Sunday.
The win secured Rest of India’s record 31st Irani Cup title after J&K collapsed while chasing 279 on the fourth day.
The hosts slipped from 89/3 to 111 all out in just 28.4 overs during a dramatic post-lunch session.
Mukesh’s late movement and disciplined lengths proved impossible to handle as he completed his 11th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.
He also claimed three wickets in four deliveries during his devastating spell.
Akash Deep supported Mukesh brilliantly in his comeback match, finishing with 3-25. Mukesh Choudhary also made an important contribution by removing dangerous batter Abdul Samad.
Shubham Khajuria top-scored for J&K with 36, while Qamran Iqbal made 32 and Abdul Samad contributed 20.
J&K’s chase initially appeared under control, but Akash Deep removed Khajuria with the first ball after lunch and opened the floodgates.
Smaran’s Century Sets Up Victory
Rest of India resumed the fourth morning on 306/8 and added only 13 runs before Sunil Kumar wrapped up the innings.
He dismissed Smaran Ravichandran for 135 off 153 balls, with his innings featuring 16 fours and five sixes.
Smaran had also scored 68 in the first innings and was named Player of the Match for his decisive contribution.
Rishabh Pant, who was suffering from fever, watched the victory from the dugout on his birthday.
J&K’s discipline also proved costly, with more than 20 no-balls conceded across the match.
The result provides a significant lesson for the Ranji champions ahead of their title defence, which begins against Madhya Pradesh in Srinagar on October 11.
Brief Scores: Rest of India 237 and 319 (Smaran Ravichandran 135, Sanat Sangwan 55) beat Jammu & Kashmir 278 and 111 (Shubham Khajuria 36, Qamran Iqbal 32) by 167 runs.
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