Rest of India clinched a memorable Irani Cup victory over Ranji Trophy champions Jammu and Kashmir by 167 runs, with players reflecting on a fierce collective fightback that defined the title win. Pacer Akash Deep said he sensed a devastating spell brewing the moment he observed Mukesh Kumar's rhythm on the final morning — and the prediction proved prophetic as Mukesh returned figures of 6 for 33 to bowl out J&K for 111.

Akash Deep's Premonition

Akash Deep, who bowled from the other end during Mukesh's decisive spell, described the moment he felt something special was coming. 'I was bowling from the other end, and when I saw Mukesh's rhythm in the morning, I felt that he was running with a good rhythm,' he said. 'It was like aaj kuch kaatilana spell aayega (an absolute thrilling spell would come from him). The way the ball was coming out of his hand, I was sure that he would bowl really well,' Akash Deep said in a video shared on BCCI Domestic's social media accounts on Monday.

Mukesh Kumar on Bowling Out the Ranji Champions

Mukesh Kumar, whose six-wicket haul turned the contest decisively in Rest of India's favour, spoke about the satisfaction of dismantling the reigning Ranji Trophy champions. 'It's a really good feeling. The team is from the Rest of India, and winning against a Ranji Trophy champion team always makes for a tough competition,' he said. He added that the camaraderie within the attack — including words of encouragement from his partner — helped him bowl with freedom and stay in the zone throughout his spell.

Player of the Match Smaran Ravichandran's Decisive Knock

Smaran Ravichandran, named Player of the Match for his 135 in the second innings, called it a defining moment in his career. 'It's a very proud moment for me to win the player of the match, especially in a big game like the Irani Cup final. Yes, I felt the situation was not very easy when I went into bat, and I'm glad that I could get the job done for the team,' he said. Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar also praised the collective effort, highlighting Mukesh Choudhary's first-innings bowling alongside Smaran's contributions across both innings.

Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant and Team Unity

Vice-captain Sarfaraz Khan, who stepped up to lead the charge on Day 4 as Rishabh Pant sat out with fever, pointed to the extraordinary unity among players drawn from different states. 'Obviously, we're from different states, but when we're together, everyone's unity is good, and when we win a match, it's a really fantastic feeling. Four matches played and I won all four Irani matches,' he said. Opener Sanat Sangwan described the four-day victory as 'surreal', adding that the manner of the win made it 'a really special feeling.'

Pant's Verdict: A Complete Team Win

Skipper Rishabh Pant attributed the triumph to contributions across the entire squad and support staff. 'Everyone has contributed to this team — the coaches and players. Smaran has played an outstanding winning game and brought us back into the game. Mukesh Choudhary has played an outstanding bowling career in the first innings, Mukesh Kumar has played an outstanding bowling career in the second innings. Akash has contributed, and in fielding, so all over for us, it's a team win,' he said. The win underscores Rest of India's depth in a competitive edition of the Irani Cup — a fixture that always carries the added edge of champion versus challenger.