Srinagar Gearing Up to Host Historic Irani Cup After Four Decades

Mumbai: In a landmark development for Indian cricket and the region of Jammu & Kashmir, the iconic Sher-I-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar is poised to host the prestigious Irani Cup match this October. This highly anticipated encounter, scheduled from October 1 to 5, will see the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy champions, Jammu and Kashmir, clash with the formidable Rest of India squad.

This event marks the biggest cricket match to be held in Kashmir since the 1980s, specifically since the One Day International (ODI) between India and Australia on September 9, 1986. The Sher-I-Kashmir Stadium has a rich, albeit limited, history of international cricket, having previously hosted two ODIs. Its inaugural international fixture on October 13, 1983, saw India take on the West Indies, with the visitors prevailing under the D/L system in a rain-affected game. The subsequent ODI witnessed Australia triumph over India by three wickets.

The stadium also recently welcomed top-tier domestic cricket, hosting a crucial Ranji Trophy match between Mumbai and J&K from October 15-18 last year. In that contest, left-arm spinning all-rounder Shams Mulani was adjudged ‘Player of the Match’ for his impressive performance, scoring 91 runs in the first innings and picking up seven wickets for 46 runs in the second.

“The Sher-I-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar will host the Irani Cup match between J&K and RoI from Oct 1-5,” confirmed Jammu & Kashmir head coach Ajay Sharma to TOI.

Preparations for the grand event are already underway, with a significant uplift required to meet the broadcasting and spectator standards. A source tracking the developments revealed to TOI on Wednesday, “The stadium is bracing for the big game. It will need a major uplift as the match will be telecast live. The BCCI has sent its team twice to Srinagar to guide the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association on what needs to be done to host the big game. We need to have a commentators’ box, proper telecast arrangements, a media box and a few more stands – both temporary and permanent – for the spectators.” Currently, the stadium’s seating capacity stands at 5,000 spectators, which will likely be expanded for this high-profile fixture.

While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to officially confirm Srinagar as the venue for the Irani Cup 2026, the local administration and cricket body are moving forward with preparations, indicating a strong likelihood of the match taking place as announced.

Jammu & Kashmir, captained by the seasoned 41-year-old batter Paras Dogra, will be looking to make a strong statement on home turf. Their primary weapon will undoubtedly be the prolific swing bowler Auqib Nabi Dar. The 29-year-old fast bowler from Baramulla, who was recently selected for India’s two-Test tour of Sri Lanka, was the leading wicket-taker in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, bagging an impressive 60 wickets at an average of 12.56.

Historically, the Rest of India have dominated the Irani Cup, claiming the title 30 times, followed by Mumbai with 15 victories. This match offers J&K a golden opportunity to etch their name in the tournament’s history.

Following their Irani Cup challenge, J&K will embark on their Ranji Trophy title defense, commencing their 2026-27 campaign on October 11 against Madhya Pradesh. The defending champions are placed in Elite Group A, alongside formidable teams such as Vidarbha, Baroda, Puducherry, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Goa, promising another exciting season of first-class cricket.