SRINAGAR, SEPT 28: The countdown to one of the biggest cricketing occasions in recent years in Jammu and Kashmir moved into a new phase on Monday with India star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant arriving in Srinagar, where he received a warm welcome from officials and staff of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) at the airport.
Pant’s arrival has added considerable star power to the historic Irani Cup 2026, which will see reigning Ranji Trophy champions Jammu & Kashmir take on Pant-led Rest of India at the Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, Srinagar, from October 1 to 5.
The fixture carries exceptional significance for Jammu and Kashmir cricket as it comes after the team’s landmark achievement of winning its maiden Ranji Trophy title in the 2025-26 season.
The historic triumph earned J&K the opportunity to face the Rest of India in the Irani Cup, bringing together the champions of Indian first-class cricket and a star-studded representative side.
Pant, one of the most recognisable names in Indian cricket, has been appointed captain and wicketkeeper of the Rest of India team, with Sarfaraz Khan named vice-captain. His arrival in Srinagar has further intensified anticipation among cricket lovers, who are looking forward to witnessing the Indian star in action on Kashmir soil.
The Rest of India squad selected for the prestigious contest features a blend of established performers and emerging domestic talent.
Besides Pant and Sarfaraz Khan, the squad includes Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, Mukesh Choudhary, Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain, Anukul Roy, Aryan Juyal, Aryan Pandey, Sanat Sangwan, Shikhar Mohan, Sudip Gharami, R Smaran and Ayush Doseja.
The presence of Pant and several other prominent domestic performers has raised the profile of the contest, while J&K will enter the encounter carrying the confidence and prestige of their historic Ranji Trophy campaign.
The match will provide the home side with an opportunity to test itself against some of the leading performers in Indian domestic cricket after completing one of the most memorable chapters in its history.
For Srinagar, the Irani Cup represents an important moment in the return of high-profile cricket to the Valley.
The Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium is preparing to host the prestigious five-day encounter, bringing top-level first-class cricket and several high-profile players before the local sporting community.
The venue last hosted an international cricket match in 1986, when India faced Australia in an ODI. Nearly four decades later, the arrival of a major domestic fixture featuring the Ranji Trophy champions and Rest of India has generated significant excitement among cricket followers across Jammu and Kashmir.
The contest is scheduled to begin at 9:30 am on October 1, with five days of red-ball cricket expected to provide a stern examination of both sides.
The arrival of Pant comes as the JKCA enters the final stretch of preparations for the prestigious fixture.
The Association has been coordinating arrangements related to the venue, teams, accommodation, logistics and match operations to ensure the smooth conduct of the event.
The JKCA had also discussed preparations for the Irani Cup during its recent Annual General Meeting in Jammu, held after a gap of nearly a decade.
Meanwhile, the J&K squad has been preparing at the same venue ahead of the contest, with the home team looking to build on the momentum generated by its historic Ranji Trophy triumph.
The significance of the Irani Cup extends beyond the five days of cricket.
Jammu and Kashmir’s maiden Ranji Trophy title marked a defining moment for the region’s cricketing journey. The Irani Cup now provides the champions with an opportunity to carry that success onto one of the most prestigious stages in Indian domestic cricket.
The arrival of Rishabh Pant has further elevated the occasion, bringing an international cricketing star into a contest that already holds enormous importance for the local game.
As the Rest of India contingent begins assembling in Srinagar and preparations enter their final phase, the focus is firmly shifting towards October 1, when the Ranji Trophy champions of Jammu and Kashmir will walk out at the Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium against a Pant-led Rest of India side.
For cricket followers in the Valley, the occasion promises to be more than a regular domestic match—it will mark a historic convergence of J&K’s greatest first-class achievement and the return of high-profile red-ball cricket to Srinagar, with the spotlight firmly on the champions and the star-studded visitors.
