Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep drive Rest of India to Irani Cup win in Srinagar

Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep were central to Rest of India’s victory over Jammu & Kashmir in the Irani Cup at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. Their performances helped secure the title for Rest of India.

The two fast bowlers, who share a close personal bond, downplayed the details of when they first met. “Forget it. Jab bhi mile hain, gale mile hain (Whenever we have met, we have hugged each other),” Mukesh grinned after the match, and the report noted that both players have travelled similar paths from Bihar to the Indian team via Bengal.

In the decisive fourth innings, Mukesh produced six for 33 and Akash three for 25, the pair combining for nine wickets as Jammu & Kashmir were dismissed for 111. The bowling collapse completed Rest of India’s chase and clinched the Irani Cup.

Akash returned from a seven-month injury layoff to play a leading role, with the 29-year-old registering speeds in excess of 140kmph throughout his spell. He described the rehabilitation and preparation in his own words: “My body needed a rest. God gave it to me in the form of an injury and I utilised it well. I am not putting in a lot of effort to bowl 140kmph-plus. This is the result of 6-7 months of training,” he noted.

On the similarity of their careers and fortunes, Akash reflected on their shared trajectory and outcomes. “Whatever happens for us, it happens together. I don’t know what is written in our destiny,” he said. “The bodies are different, but our fate is the same. That’s why it is difficult to explain. We ourselves don’t know why everything happens alike for us.”

After the match, the pair joined teammates to celebrate with the trophy at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium. Photographs from the ground captured Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep and the Rest of India squad with the Irani Cup.

Rest of India left Srinagar as Irani Cup champions following the win on Oct. 4, 2026.