The Irani Cup is a prestigious annual First-Class cricket match in India. Organized by the BCCI, the match is played between the current Ranji Trophy champions and a Rest of India (RoI) team composed of players from other state teams.
Since its inception in 1960, the tournament has gained significance, symbolizing the clash between the best domestic performers and the country’s wider talent pool.
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How did the Irani Cup originate?
The Irani Cup was first introduced in 1960 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Ranji Trophy. Though originally planned as a one-off match, the BCCI later decided to make it an annual fixture, starting from the 1962-63 season.
The trophy is named after Zal R. Irani, a key figure in Indian cricket administration who served the BCCI for many years.
What is the current format of the Irani Cup? Which teams play the tournament?
The format has stayed simple but significant: the Ranji Trophy winners take on the Rest of India (RoI) team in a one-off match.
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Traditionally, the match heralded the start of the domestic cricket season, but from 2013 onward, it was moved to take place after the Ranji Trophy final.
The upcoming edition in 2024, scheduled for October 1 to 5, will feature Mumbai, the winners of the 2023–24 Ranji Trophy, competing against RoI in Mumbai.
Which team will win Irani Cup if match ends in a draw?
In case the Irani Cup match ends in a draw, the team which had a first innings lead will win the trophy.
In the 2024 edition, Mumbai scored 537 runs batting first and in reply, Rest Of India (ROI) managed to score just 416 runs, providing the former with an advantage and lead of 121 runs in the first innings.
Mumbai scored 329/8 and declared their inning on the final day as the match ended in a draw, which led them to becoming the winners.
Who has been most successful in the Irani Cup?
The RoI team has participated in every edition since the tournament began, with a solid record of 26 wins out of 61 matches. Mumbai holds the record for the most appearances by any state team, with 29, having won the trophy 12 times.
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Other prominent teams include Karnataka and Delhi. Despite some cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition remains an important event in India's domestic calendar.
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