<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ipl-2026-rishabh-pant-steps-down-from-leadership-role-after-poor-campaign-with-lucknow-super-giants-23632765" rel="nofollow">Rishabh Pant</a> has been appointed captain of a strong 15-player Rest of India squad against first-time Ranji Trophy winners Jammu and Kashmir in the upcoming Irani Cup.&nbsp;
The five-day red-ball match is set to take place at Srinagar's Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium from October 1 to 5.
The <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/bcci-releases-schedule-for-indias-2026-27-home-fixtures-23622749" rel="nofollow">Board of Control for Cricket in India</a> (BCCI) revealed the official squad, naming batter Sarfaraz Khan as Pant's vice-captain. Fast bowler Akash Deep has also been named in the contingent, though his participation remains subject to passing a final medical clearance.
The prestigious fixture will feature Jammu and Kashmir, who captured their historic maiden Ranji Trophy championship during the 2025-26 season, taking on a Rest of India lineup featuring star players from across the domestic circuit.
The complete Rest of India roster features Sanat Sangwan, Shikhar Mohan, Sudip Gharami, Smaran Ravichandran, Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain, Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, Mukesh Choudhary, Aryan Juyal, Aryan Pandey, Anukul Roy, and Ayush Doseja.
<h2>India announce squad for Japan T20I and Asian Games</h2>
Alongside the domestic squad, the BCCI men's selection committee has announced forced changes to the national team for the upcoming one-off T20I against Japan and the Asian Games. <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/t20-world-cup-2026-varun-chakravarthys-late-bloom-and-relentless-reinvention-powers-indias-domminance-23616547" rel="nofollow">Spinner Varun Chakaravarthy</a> has been sidelined after sustaining a side strain.
Chakaravarthy picked up the injury in Delhi during the T20I series opener against Afghanistan, forcing him out of both upcoming matches.
In his place, leg-spinning all-rounder Vipraj Nigam has been handed his maiden international call-up. Nigam impressed in IPL 2025 with Delhi Capitals, taking 11 wickets in 14 games while scoring 142 runs at a 179.74 strike rate.&nbsp;
Although he had a quieter IPL 2026 campaign, finishing with two wickets and 15 runs over five games, he stood out for India A during June's one-day tri-series in Sri Lanka, picking up seven wickets and scoring 116 runs at a 126.08 strike rate.
Furthermore, Nitish Kumar Reddy has been withdrawn from the Asian Games squad to participate in India's upcoming home ODI series against the West Indies. The selection committee has not yet named his replacement, leaving the squad at 14 players ahead of their travel to Japan.

Rishabh Pant will captain Rest of India against Ranji champions Jammu and Kashmir, while Vipraj Nigam earns a call-up following Varun Chakaravarthy`s injury


Irani Cup: Rishabh Pant to lead Rest of India team against Jammu and Kashmir

Sports News Today: Rishabh Pant to lead Rest of India, Sri Lanka's women's squad for Asian Games 2026, Lahore High Court rejects Muhammad Rizwan's petition

Rishabh Pant will captain Rest of India against Ranji champions Jammu and Kashmir, while Vipraj Nigam earns a call-up following Varun Chakaravarthy's injury


Rishabh Pant to lead Rest of India team in Irani Cup against Jammu and Kashmir

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Sports / Cricket / Article / Rishabh Pant to lead Rest of India team in Irani Cup against Jammu and Kashmir