Irani Cup Matches
There could be two Irani Cup matches in the upcoming domestic season. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has acceded to the request of Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA), the 2020 champions, who missed out on playing the one-off annual event because of the Covid-affected 2021 season which did not see any multi-day events. The SCA’s request for an Irani game has now been accepted.
SCA president Jaydev Shah revealed the BCCI decision on Sunday (September 4), “We thank secretary BCCI, Mr. Jay Shah, for this gesture of granting us an Irani Cup game. We are indebted to him and the BCCI. We are looking forward to playing the match.”
The traditional season-opening match is between the defending Ranji champions and the Rest of India.
As a specific factor, it has yet to be determined whether two Rest of India teams will play against the two Ranji champions at the same time. However, according to an unclear schedule, the two games will be played at the beginning and end of the season.
Madhya Pradesh, the reigning Ranji champions, were supposed to play ROI in Gwalior from October 1 to 5. However, it has been learned that their encounter will occur at the season’s end. The game between Saurashtra and ROI is scheduled for early October in Rajkot.
Later, the SCA said that it is prepared to host the game. “Prestigious Irani Cup is to be hosted and played at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium from 1st to 5th October 2022 between Ranji Trophy Champions 2019-20 Team Saurashtra vs Rest of India,” the association said in a release.
“Team Saurashtra had become Ranji Trophy Champion of Season 2019-20 on 13th March 2020. Team Saurashtra was then to play the Irani Trophy at SCA Stadium from 18th March 2020. Unfortunately, the Irani Cup could not be played due to the Pandemic of Covid-19.
“It is very heartening that Domestic Season 2022-23 of the BCCI is to be played in full swing and the Irani Cup is to be played after two long years. With a good representation of Mr. Jaydev Shah, President, Saurashtra Cricket Association, BCCI has kindly considered playing Irani Cup in an earlier format, i.e. Irani Cup used to be played between the Ranji Trophy champion of the previous year vs Rest of India.”
