Irani Cup: Rest of India beat J&K by 167 runs

Srinagar: Rest of India defeated Jammu and Kashmir by 167 runs in the Irani Cup at the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar on Sunday, securing victory inside four days.

Chasing a target of 279, J&K were bowled out for 111 in 28.4 overs, with the hosts unable to repeat the resistance they showed in the first innings.

Rest of India had been reduced to 197 for eight in their second innings before Ravichandran Smaran produced a match-turning unbeaten 126 off 131 balls. His innings included 15 fours and five sixes and helped Rest of India set J&K a challenging fourth-innings target.

J&K’s Umar Nazir Mir and Sahil Lotra claimed three wickets each in Rest of India’s second innings, while Lone Nasir Muzaffar had earlier taken three wickets.

J&K had secured a 41-run first-innings lead after recovering from 166 for eight, with Paras Dogra scoring 75, Abdul Samad making 57 and Lone Nasir Muzaffar contributing an attacking 64.

However, the hosts struggled in the chase and lost wickets at regular intervals. Rest of India’s bowlers, led by Mukesh Kumar, wrapped up the innings in just 28.4 overs.

Mukesh had taken two wickets in J&K’s first innings and also struck during the chase as Rest of India completed a comprehensive victory.

The match was the first Irani Cup fixture to be hosted in Srinagar.