Srinagar is poised to potentially host the prestigious Irani Cup cricket match in 2026, with the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in the city reportedly shortlisted to stage the fixture. This would mark the return of a major cricket event to the valley after nearly four decades.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar is a strong contender to host the 2026 edition of the Irani Cup, a traditional curtain-raiser to the Indian domestic cricket season. The match is scheduled to take place between October 1 and 5, featuring the winners of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, Jammu and Kashmir, against the Rest of India team.
The potential staging of the Irani Cup in Srinagar is a significant development for cricket in the region. The last high-profile international match held at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium was an One Day International (ODI) between India and Australia on September 9, 1986. The current proposal aims to bring a top-tier domestic cricket encounter back to the venue.
The Irani Cup pits the reigning Ranji Trophy champions against a select Rest of India side, comprising some of the country’s leading domestic performers. The 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season saw Jammu and Kashmir emerge victorious. In a closely contested final played at the KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground in Hubli, Jammu and Kashmir secured the title against Karnataka, clinching the trophy by virtue of their first-innings lead.
Key players from the triumphant Jammu and Kashmir Ranji Trophy squad are expected to feature prominently in the Irani Cup. Among them is Auqib Nabi Dar, a 29-year-old fast bowler from Baramulla, who was the leading wicket-taker in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, claiming 60 wickets. Dar delivered an impressive performance in the final, taking 5 wickets for 54 runs in the first innings. He is reportedly also part of India’s Test squad for an upcoming series against Sri Lanka.
Another notable bowler for Jammu and Kashmir is Yudhvir Singh Charak, also a formidable fast bowler. Charak, who has represented the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has a proven track record of taking wickets and is expected to be a crucial asset for the team in the Irani Cup.
While the prospect of hosting the Irani Cup in Srinagar is generating excitement, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to issue an official confirmation regarding the venue. The BCCI will also be responsible for announcing the Rest of India squad for the encounter.
Historically, the Rest of India team has been the dominant force in the Irani Cup, having won the title a record 30 times. Mumbai holds the second-highest number of titles with 15 wins.
Following their potential participation in the Irani Cup, Jammu and Kashmir will commence their defence of the Ranji Trophy title on October 11. Their campaign for the 2026-27 season will begin against Madhya Pradesh. Jammu and Kashmir have been placed in Elite Group A for the upcoming Ranji Trophy season, alongside Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Baroda, Puducherry, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Goa.
The Chenab Times News Desk
