Fast bowlers ruled the opening day of the Irani Cup 2026/27 at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar, as Jammu and Kashmir — the reigning Ranji Trophy champions — bowled Rishabh Pant's Rest of India out for 237 before stumbling to 21 for 2 at stumps on Thursday.
Collapse after a solid start
Put in to bat on a green pitch, Rest of India were cruising at 108 for 2 before their middle order caved in against J&K's seam attack. They lost five wickets for 47 runs to slip to 155 for 7, and only a counter-attacking 68 off 83 balls from Smaran Ravichandran dragged them past 200.
Shikhar Mohan (60) and Sarfaraz Khan (45) were the other contributors of note in a total that never looked enough on a seamer-friendly surface.
J&K's seamers strike
Sunil Kumar led the way with 3 for 36, while Lone Nasir took 3 for 59 and Umar Nazir Mir claimed 2 for 65. The trio exploited the conditions relentlessly, and captain Paras Dogra's decision to field first was fully vindicated as 12 wickets fell across the day.
Late strikes keep ROI in it
Rest of India hit back in the final session. Their new-ball bowlers, including Akash Deep and Mukesh Choudhary, removed two J&K openers cheaply, leaving the hosts 21 for 2 at stumps — still trailing by 216 runs. Qamran Iqbal was unbeaten on 12.
The match, which runs from October 1 to 5, pits the domestic champion against a star-studded Rest of India side. On the evidence of day one, it promises to be a bowler's game, and the first hour on Friday could decide whether J&K can seize a first-innings lead or Rest of India can fight their way back.
Sources: Irani Cup: fast bowlers dominate as J&K restrict Rest of India to 237 — IANS | Irani Cup 2026/27 — ESPNcricinfo
Collapse after a solid start
Put in to bat on a green pitch, Rest of India were cruising at 108 for 2 before their middle order caved in against J&K's seam attack. They lost five wickets for 47 runs to slip to 155 for 7, and only a counter-attacking 68 off 83 balls from Smaran Ravichandran dragged them past 200.
Shikhar Mohan (60) and Sarfaraz Khan (45) were the other contributors of note in a total that never looked enough on a seamer-friendly surface.
J&K's seamers strike
Sunil Kumar led the way with 3 for 36, while Lone Nasir took 3 for 59 and Umar Nazir Mir claimed 2 for 65. The trio exploited the conditions relentlessly, and captain Paras Dogra's decision to field first was fully vindicated as 12 wickets fell across the day.
Late strikes keep ROI in it
Rest of India hit back in the final session. Their new-ball bowlers, including Akash Deep and Mukesh Choudhary, removed two J&K openers cheaply, leaving the hosts 21 for 2 at stumps — still trailing by 216 runs. Qamran Iqbal was unbeaten on 12.
The match, which runs from October 1 to 5, pits the domestic champion against a star-studded Rest of India side. On the evidence of day one, it promises to be a bowler's game, and the first hour on Friday could decide whether J&K can seize a first-innings lead or Rest of India can fight their way back.
Sources: Irani Cup: fast bowlers dominate as J&K restrict Rest of India to 237 — IANS | Irani Cup 2026/27 — ESPNcricinfo
