Having missed out on selection for the upcoming West Indies ODIs, Rishabh Pant has been handed the captaincy for the Rest of India squad as they prepare to face 2025-26 Ranji Trophy winners Jammu & Kashmir in the Irani Cup 2026. Meanwhile, top-order batter Sarfaraz Khan will serve as Pant's vice-captain for the clash.
Rishabh Pant to lead Rest of India in Irani Cup
The squad could also welcome back fast bowler Akash Deep following a long layoff due to a lower-back stress fracture, though his inclusion remains conditional on passing a final fitness evaluation. In a notable twist, his previous competitive appearance came against the same Jammu & Kashmir side during the Ranji Trophy back in February 2026.
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Rest of India's bowling unit boasts additional seam coverage from Mukesh Kumar, Mukesh Choudhary, and Aryan Pandey. The slow-bowling attack will be led by Anukul Roy, who joins forces with Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain following their recent call-ups for the Test series in Sri Lanka. The batting lineup is further strengthened by R Smaran and Ayush Doseja, who finished as the leading run-getters in the most recent Ranji Trophy season.
The domestic showcase is scheduled to take place at Srinagar's Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium, running from October 1 through October 5.
Rest of India squad for Irani Cup:
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
Pant’s appointment to lead Rest of India confirms his absence from the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies. With Pant having not featured in a 50-over international for India since August 2024, selectors have turned to Dhruv Jurel as the backup wicketkeeper and deputy to KL Rahul.
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The Irani Cup fixture provides Pant with crucial match practice before India embarks on an extensive all-format tour of New Zealand in October, which comprises five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Tests. Pant is slated to play a pivotal role in the two-Test series, where victories are vital for Shubman Gill’s side to stay in contention for the World Test Championship 2027 final.
On the opposing side, Jammu & Kashmir will have to contend without their marquee paceman Auqib Nabi Dar. His maiden call-up to the national ODI squad for the West Indies series rules him out of the Irani Cup clash, handing J&K a major blow given that Nabi finished as their standout bowler and top wicket-taker during their triumphant 2025-26 Ranji Trophy campaign.