Irani trophy revived, Hanuma Vihari to lead Rest of India squad

One of the most revered cricket tournaments in India, the Irani trophy is back.

In the Irani trophy, the tradition is – the Ranji trophy champions take on a Rest of India squad.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced the Irani Trophy match will be played from October 1-5 where the ‘Rest of India’ squad that will take on 2019-20 Ranji Trophy champions Saurashtra.

The Irani Cup is returning after three years, as it was dropped from the domestic schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020.

India batter Hanuma Vihahi will lead Rest of India.

Yash Dhull, who led India to the 2022 U-19 World Cup trophy, has also been selected along with young pace sensation Umran Malik.

Apart from Vihari, Mayank and Dhull, the other batters selected include Mayank Agarwal, Priyank Panchal, Abhimanyu Easwaran and Sarfaraz Khan, who scored heavily in the Ranji trophy.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, who recently racked up a double-century for West Zone in the Duleep Trophy final, has also been included in the squad.

KS Bharat is set to keep wickets, with fellow gloveman Upendra Yadav also in the squad.

Jayant Yadav, Saurabh Kumar and R Sai Kishore comprise the spin department for Rest of India, whole the pace attack includes Umran Malik, Mukesh Kumar, Kuldeep Sen and Arzan Nagwaswalla.

The Irani Cup match will be played at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot.

This year’s domestic calendar has two editions of the Irani Cup.

In the second Irani Cup, Rest of India will take on defending Ranji Trophy champions Madhya Pradesh.

Rest of India squad

Hanuma Vihari (Captain), Mayank Agarwal, Priyank Panchal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Yash Dhull, Sarfaraz Khan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, K.S. Bharat, Upendra Yadav, Jayant Yadav, Saurabh Kumar, R Sai Kishore, Mukesh Kumar, Umran Malik, Kuldeep Sen, Arzan Nagwaswalla