Rest of India secured a 167‑run victory over Jammu and Kashmir at Srinagar’s Sher‑i‑Kashmir Stadium, and a standout eight‑wicket performance by Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar has put his name firmly back on the national selectors’ radar. Kumar claimed six wickets for just 33 runs in the second innings, finishing the match with a total of eight dismissals. His spell came on a day‑four pitch that offered grass and seam, conditions that mirror those expected in New Zealand later this month.
Irani Cup showdown
The Irani Cup clash began with Rest of India’s Mukesh Choudhary delivering a five‑wicket haul in the first innings, giving his side a solid platform. In the chase, Jammu and Kashmir set a target of 279 runs. Their opening bowler, also named Mukesh, struggled early, conceding 12 runs in his first 18 balls. Akash Deep was introduced and promptly removed opener Qamran Iqbal, prompting a brief shift in the bowling attack.
Stand‑in captain Sarfaraz Khan then received a pleading request from Kumar, who animatedly asked to be brought back into the attack. Khan obliged, and Kumar’s second spell quickly turned the tide. On his fifth ball of the renewed spell, he edged a delivery that threatened a lbw decision against Shubham Pundir, only for the call to be overturned on review. An over later, Kumar dismissed Pundir with a sharp, low‑bouncing delivery that struck the batsman’s knee roll – this time the decision stood.
The breakthrough continued on the very next ball when Jammu and Kashmir captain Paras Dogra, who had top‑scored with 75 in the first innings, was caught out for a golden duck. The delivery was full, nipped away, and smashed the top of the middle stump while Dogra remained rooted at the crease. At that point, Jammu and Kashmir were three down for 65 runs.
Mukesh Kumar’s spell
Buoyed by the early wickets, Kumar kept the pressure on. After lunch he dismissed Kanhaiya Wadhawan, and later in the innings he claimed the final three wickets in a single over, a rare feat that underscored his dominance. In total, Jammu and Kashmir’s last seven wickets fell for just 22 runs, four of which were taken by Kumar. His figures of 6 for 33 in the second innings capped an eight‑wicket haul for the match, sealing Rest of India’s comprehensive win.
Kumar celebrated the golden‑duck wicket of Dogra with a run reminiscent of former South African spinner Imran Tahir’s signature “catch me if you can” sprint, a gesture that highlighted both his joy and his confidence. The delivery that removed Dogra – a full, nipping ball that hit the top of the middle stump – is the type of pitch‑assisted seam movement that has defined Kumar’s reputation on green‑top surfaces. A similar performance at Eden Gardens during the 2019‑20 Ranji Trophy semi‑final against Karnataka saw him claim six wickets and propel Bengal into the final.
Implications for national selection
The performance arrives at a pivotal moment for India’s fast‑bowling resources. The senior team is set to face New Zealand in a two‑Test series starting November 19, with matches scheduled at Wellington and Christchurch – venues historically known for seam and swing. Analysts note that Kumar’s natural length, which relies on pitching the ball up to allow it to move, aligns well with the conditions expected in those cities.
Despite his domestic resurgence, Kumar remains outside the current selection conversation. The Indian board’s recent focus has been on Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep and uncapped fast bowler Gurnoor Brar. Recent injury setbacks have affected the established stars: Bumrah missed the Sri Lanka tour with a knee issue and was later named for Afghanistan T20s subject to fitness, while Siraj displayed a noticeable drop in pace during the same series. Krishna, meanwhile, took seven wickets at an average of 24.57, and Brar has yet to debut at the senior level.
Kumar, 32, has limited international exposure – three Tests since his debut in the West Indies in 2023, where he recorded figures of 2 for 48 in the first innings. He later claimed four wickets in Cape Town in January 2024, including the dismissal of Dean Elgar, and recorded 1 for 70 against England in Vizag on a flat pitch. Across those three Tests he has taken seven wickets at an average of 25.57, six of which came overseas.
His domestic credentials, however, are compelling. In the recent Duleep Trophy, Kumar captured 12 wickets in five innings at an average of 14.91, emerging as the competition’s leading bowler. He took seven wickets in the semi‑final, earning Player of the Match honors, and added three more in the final. Over the past five weeks, Kumar has amassed 20 wickets in his last four red‑ball domestic matches, contributing to two winning sides.
Given the volume of cricket India is playing and the injury concerns that have plagued the fast‑bowling contingent, selectors may consider Kumar as a standby option. One potential pathway to the senior side is inclusion in the India A red‑ball series in New Zealand, slated to begin on October 24. Such exposure would provide a direct assessment of his ability to adapt to the conditions he is likely to encounter with the senior team.
While the debate over his inclusion continues, Kumar’s Irani Cup heroics have undeniably refreshed his profile. The six‑for‑33 spell on a seam‑friendly surface not only secured a trophy for Rest of India but also raised a clear question for the national selectors: could the Bengal fast bowler be the missing seam weapon India needs for the upcoming New Zealand tour?
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