Pant hails ROI's Irani Cup win: 'We didn't let it go, kept on fighting'
Synopsis
Trailing by 41 runs after the first innings, Rest of India roared back to bundle out J&K for 111 and win the Irani Cup by 167 runs — on the day captain Rishabh Pant turned 29. 'We didn't let it go,' Pant told his team, and for once, the dressing room speech matched exactly what happened on the pitch.
Key Takeaways
Rest of India defeated Jammu and Kashmir by 167 runs in the Irani Cup at Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium, Srinagar on 4 October 2026 .
ROI had conceded a 41-run first-innings lead before staging a remarkable comeback on day four .
J&K were bowled out for 111 chasing 279 , handing ROI a dominant win.
Captain Rishabh Pant missed day four due to a fever ; Sarfaraz Khan led the side on the field.
The victory ended Rest of India's two-year wait for the Irani Cup title and coincided with Pant's 29th birthday .
Rest of India captain Rishabh Pant paid tribute to his team's grit and resilience after a stunning 167-run victory over Jammu and Kashmir in the Irani Cup at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar on 4 October 2026. The win ended a two-year trophy drought for Rest of India and doubled as a memorable birthday celebration for the 29-year-old captain.
The Comeback That Defined the Game
Rest of India had trailed by 41 runs after the first innings, conceding a lead to Ranji Trophy champions Jammu and Kashmir. The turnaround came on day four, when ROI bowled out J&K for just 111 in their chase of 279, sealing the title with a commanding margin. It was a recovery few had anticipated given the first-innings deficit.
What Pant Said to His Team
Addressing his players on the ground in a video shared by BCCI Domestic's social media accounts, Pant was candid about the adversity the side had navigated. 'Guys, great effort. In the last 5-7 days, we were discussing that let's play for the pride and let's play for our monogram. No matter what happens, especially in the first innings, they did a good batting effort and they took the first innings lead,' he said.
He went on to add: 'But, one thing for sure, our Rest of India team, we didn't let it go. We just kept on fighting with every ounce of intensity we had. One day, one over, one ball at a time and, everyone contributed in their own way. From last two years, we were not winning. But, we made sure that when we leave this ground, we put our name on the trophy as winners.'
Birthday on the Pitch
The victory coincided with Pant's 29th birthday, turning the post-match gathering into a dual celebration. Teammates and coaches huddled around the wicketkeeper-batter to sing 'Happy Birthday' in chorus, while ground staff members offered their blessings. A smiling Pant replied 'Thanks for the gift' as the cheers rang out, followed by a trophy pose and a cake-cutting ceremony in the dressing room.
Pant's Personal Battle
Despite leading the side to glory, Pant had a modest outing with the bat, scoring 10 and 8 in the two innings. He came out to bat late in the second innings due to a fever that struck on day three and did not take the field on day four, with Sarfaraz Khan stepping in as on-field captain during his absence. The fact that ROI held together without their captain on the field through the final day underlined the collective character Pant had spoken about.
What This Win Means
The Irani Cup, traditionally a contest between the reigning Ranji Trophy champions and the Rest of India, is one of domestic cricket's most prestigious fixtures. Ending a two-year wait for the title adds weight to this victory beyond the scoreboard, signalling a renewed competitive edge for a Rest of India side that will form the talent pool for India's next generation of Test players.
Point of View
A captain sidelined by illness on the final day, and a J&K side buoyed by their Ranji title. That they won comfortably in the end reveals collective depth, not just individual brilliance. For a player still reasserting his place in the Test pecking order after a serious injury, captaining a comeback like this carries a significance that goes beyond birthday optics.
NationPress
4 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Irani Cup 2026?
Rest of India won the Irani Cup 2026, defeating Ranji Trophy champions Jammu and Kashmir by 167 runs at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar on 4 October 2026. It was ROI's first Irani Cup title in two years.
What was the margin of Rest of India's victory in the Irani Cup?
Rest of India won by 167 runs, bowling out Jammu and Kashmir for 111 in their chase of 279 on day four. ROI had trailed by 41 runs after the first innings before staging the comeback.
How did Rishabh Pant perform in the Irani Cup final?
Rishabh Pant scored 10 and 8 in the two innings. He missed day four due to a fever, with Sarfaraz Khan taking over as on-field captain, though Pant was present for the celebrations and addressed his team after the win.
Why is this Irani Cup win significant for Rest of India?
The victory ended a two-year trophy drought for Rest of India and came despite a challenging first-innings deficit against the reigning Ranji Trophy champions. It also coincided with captain Rishabh Pant's 29th birthday.
What did Rishabh Pant say after the Irani Cup win?
Pant told his team that regardless of the setbacks, 'we didn't let it go' and that the side fought 'one day, one over, one ball at a time.' He emphasised that the dressing room's goal was to leave the ground as trophy winners after two years without the title.
