Rishabh Pant Leads Rest of India in Irani Cup Clash
Rishabh Pant has been left out of India’s ODI squad for the West Indies, but his next assignment will still carry weight and spotlight. The wicketkeeper-batter has been handed the captaincy of Rest of India for the Irani Cup clash against newly crowned 2025-26 Ranji Trophy champions Jammu & Kashmir, a contest that suddenly feels bigger than just a traditional curtain-raiser.
Pant’s Stage, Pant’s Statement
For Pant, this is more than a ceremonial leadership role. Leading Rest of India in Srinagar from October 1-5 offers a sharp, competitive platform to remind selectors of his long-format pedigree and white-ball ambitions at the same time. He will have Sarfaraz Khan as his deputy, another batter with a point to prove and a mountain of domestic runs behind him.
The pairing is intriguing. Pant brings flair and authority; Sarfaraz brings relentless run-hunger. Together, they anchor a batting unit designed to test a J&K side riding the high of a historic Ranji triumph.
Akash Deep’s Timely Return
One of the more compelling subplots sits in the fast-bowling column. Akash Deep, sidelined for a lengthy spell with a lower-back stress injury, has been named in the squad subject to fitness. The symmetry is hard to miss: the last competitive game he played was against Jammu & Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy back in February 2026. Now, if he clears the fitness test, he returns against the same opposition, in a marquee fixture, with a national spotlight.
Alongside him, Rest of India have gone with a solid pace core. Mukesh Kumar and Mukesh Choudhary add experience and variety, while Aryan Pandey rounds off a seam attack that looks capable of exploiting early autumn conditions in Srinagar.
Spin Strength and Ranji Form Horses
The spin department has a sharp edge to it. Anukul Roy joins a pair on the rise in Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain, both fresh from exposure in the Test series against Sri Lanka. That recent international experience gives the attack a reassuring depth and a sense of continuity with the national setup.
With the bat, Rest of India have rewarded domestic dominance. R Smaran and Ayush Doseja, the top two run-scorers in the previous Ranji Trophy season, both find a place in the squad. Their inclusion underlines what this fixture has always represented: a bridge between Ranji excellence and higher honours.
Sanat Sangwan, Shikhar Mohan and Sudip Gharami add further substance to the top order, while Aryan Juyal offers a second wicketkeeping option and flexibility in the middle.
Srinagar Awaits
Sher-i-Kashmir stadium in Srinagar will host the J&K vs Rest of India showdown from October 1-5, a fitting venue for a state basking in the glow of its Ranji Trophy breakthrough. For the champions, it is a chance to prove that last season was not a one-off surge. For Pant and his Rest of India side, it is an examination of depth, form and ambition.
One game, five days, and for several names in that dressing room, a chance to change the trajectory of their careers.
Rest of India squad:
Rishabh Pant (C, WK), Sanat Sangwan, Shikhar Mohan, Sudip Gharami, Sarfaraz Khan (VC), Smaran Ravichandran, Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain, Akash Deep*, Mukesh Kumar, Mukesh Choudhary, Aryan Juyal (WK), Aryan Pandey, Anukul Roy, Ayush Doseja.
