Irani Cup

Past Irani Cup Editions

• 2025-2026 Season

  The 2025‑2026 Irani Cup, played from 1 to 5 October 2025, delivered a sharp, competitive finish as Vidarbha defeated the Rest of India by 93 runs at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. As Ranji Trophy champions, Vidarbha earned home advantage and used it well on a surface that rewarded discipline across five days. The one‑off first‑class match followed the traditional structure of the Irani Cup, with the Rest of India squad featuring standout performers from the domestic season. Vidarbha’s first‑innings control and composed batting phases shaped the match, giving them enough cushion to close out their third Irani Cup title.

  This edition also stood out for its strong local turnout and the return of a full‑house atmosphere in Nagpur, helped by consistent television and digital coverage across India. The fixture maintained its role as a key red‑ball benchmark, with selectors and analysts closely watching performances that could influence India A and long‑format national opportunities. With a clear result, a traditional five‑day structure, and a champion that maximised home conditions, the 2025‑2026 Irani Cup reinforced its reputation as one of the most meaningful events in the domestic calendar.

• 2024-2025 Season

  Mumbai, winners of the Ranji Trophy, played an exciting game against the Rest of India team in the 2024-2025 Irani Cup. The match at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow had a lot of runs, but it finished in a tie. But Mumbai won the prized trophy thanks to a big lead in the first game. Mumbai was very happy with this win because it was their first Irani Cup title in 27 years. Some amazing individual efforts made the match what it was. The star of the show was Sarfaraz Khan, whose name many Indian cricket fans have been talking about. That steady, dominant double-century he hit in the first innings (222 not out) won him the Player of the Match award, which was well-deserved. For the Rest of India team, opening batter Abhimanyu Easwaran also showed how good he is with a brilliant 191. This shows how much ability there is in India.

  There is only one first-class match over five days, which is how the Irani Cup has always been played. They play a Rest of India team that was chosen by the national officials. The winner of the Ranji Trophy. It's a first-class game, so the rules are normal. If the game ends in a tie, the team that led after the first innings is named the winner. This rule changes the way the event works by often pushing players to bat aggressively and strategically to get a high first-innings score. Teams have to use even more planning, and people who are thinking about a Z R Irani Cup bet India will find this interesting. In the last event, the choice to move the match from Mumbai to Lucknow to avoid possible weather delays was a key organizational change that made sure the game could go on as planned.

  The previous version had an effect on cricket all over the world. Mumbai's long-awaited win was a big story in the news, showing how dominant they are in their own country. Players like Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran were also praised for their skills during the match, which kept them in the national spotlight. A big part of the event's overall effect was the widespread broadcast and media coverage. The match was shown live on TV and streamed online, which drew a lot of viewers. The event became more well-known, which not only raised its status but also opened the door for new sponsors and marketing activities. If a team does well in the Irani Cup, it can lead to better contracts and sponsorship deals for the players, which makes it a very important event in their lives. The last tournament was a huge success, both on and off the field. It set a high bar and created a lot of excitement for the next season, making it even more important to Indian local cricket.

• Earlier Seasons

  The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hosted the 60th edition of the Irani Cup, a first-class cricket tournament in India, in 2023-2024. Due to sponsorship reasons, the event was also known as the IDFC First Bank Irani Cup. From October 1 to October 5, 2023, it was played. Saurashtra, the 2022-2023 Ranji Trophy winners, and a cricket team from the rest of India competed in a one-off match.

  The BCCI announced the tournament's entry in the 2023 Indian domestic cricket season in April of that year. The reigning champions, the Rest of India, won it by beating Madhya Pradesh in the final match.

  The Irani Cup match between the Rest of India and Saurashtra took place from October 1-5, 2023, at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. The Rest of India team secured a commanding victory by 175 runs. Batting first, the Rest of India scored 308, led by Sai Sudharsan's 72, with Parth Bhut taking 5/94 for Saurashtra. Saurashtra replied with 214, with Arpit Vasavada top scoring at 54 and Saurabh Kumar taking 4/65. In the second innings, the Rest of India managed 160, setting Saurashtra a challenging target, with Mayank Agarwal scoring 49 and Bhut taking 7/53. Saurashtra was bowled out for 79 in their chase, with Saurabh Kumar taking 6/43, earning him the Man of the Match award for his 10-wicket haul.

  The Irani Cup has evolved into one of India’s most prestigious domestic cricket competitions. Over the years, it has produced some memorable moments and showcased the country’s top cricketing talent. The competition traditionally pits the Ranji Trophy champions against a Rest of India team, creating a platform for emerging stars to prove their mettle alongside seasoned players.

  One of the most iconic matches in Irani Cup history took place in 1990-1991, when the game ended in a rare tie. Representing Bombay, a young Sachin Tendulkar emerged as the match’s standout performer, scoring a brilliant century that hinted at his future greatness. The match’s tension and drama made it an unforgettable encounter that is still discussed among cricket enthusiasts.

  Another highlight occurred in the 2002-2003 season when Mumbai took on the Rest of India. In this game, Wasim Jaffer etched his name into the record books by scoring a double century, setting the tone for what would be a remarkable career in domestic cricket. His performance not only led Mumbai to victory but also demonstrated the depth of talent within India’s domestic cricket structure.

  The 2012-2013 edition is remembered for a masterclass in batting by Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay, who both scored centuries for the Rest of India. Their partnership set up a dominant win over Rajasthan, and the match is often cited as a key moment in both players’ careers, particularly as they went on to achieve significant success in international cricket.

These highlights are just a glimpse into the rich history of the Irani Cup, a tournament that continues to play a crucial role in Indian cricket. For bettors, understanding the history and context of these matches is essential for making informed decisions. For more detailed insights, expert betting reviews, and comprehensive coverage of the Irani Cup and other major cricket events, IndiaBetMaster.com is your go-to resource. The site offers everything Indian users need, from historical data to the latest odds and recommendations, ensuring you’re always prepared for your next bet.

* 1960-1961, 1961-1962, 1964-1965: No edition held.

** 2020-2021, 2021-2022: Not held due to COVID-19 disruptions.