The Irani Cup 2025 will be played from October 1 to 5 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.
This year, the team Vidarbha, led by Akshay Wadkar, will take on the specially selected Rest of India team, captained by Rajat Patidar.
Over five days, both teams bring together experienced players and promising young talent, making it a key fixture in India’s domestic cricket season.
In this article, we’ll cover the 2025 squads, match schedule, venue, key players, and how to follow the action live.
Tournament Overview of Irani Cup 2025
The Irani Cup is a key event in Indian domestic cricket, where the Ranji Trophy winners face a team comprising the best players from across the country.
The 2025 edition is special as Vidarbha will defend its home ground in Nagpur after winning the Ranji Trophy.
This first-class tournament tests players over several days, challenging their skill, focus, and stamina. Performances here can help players catch the eye of national selectors.
Events like the Irani Cup contribute to making cricket one of the most popular sports in India, bringing fans together and highlighting the depth of talent in domestic cricket.
Irani Cup 2025 Match Schedule and Venues
The Irani Cup 2025 match will be played from October 1 to October 5, starting at 9:30 AM local time (4:00 AM GMT) at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.
Nagpur’s VCA Stadium, one of the biggest cricket stadiums in India, was established in 2008 and can hold up to 45,000 spectators.
It regularly hosts international matches, IPL games, and domestic tournaments, making it a key venue for cricket in central India.
With its modern facilities and well-maintained pitches, the stadium offers exciting contests for both batters and bowlers.
Its location and infrastructure make it a favorite among players, administrators, and fans alike.
Teams Competing in Irani Cup 2025
The 2025 Irani Cup will feature two teams competing against each other: Vidarbha, the current Ranji Trophy champions, and the Rest of India squad.
Here’s a quick look at both teams and their key details for this match.
Vidarbha Team
Vidarbha, the cricket team representing the Vidarbha region, is affiliated with the Vidarbha Cricket Association, which was established in 1934. The association underwent several name changes before adopting its current name in 1957.
Since its establishment in 1933, the Vidarbha team has grown into a strong domestic side, most recently winning the Ranji Trophy in the 2024-25 season.
For the 2025 Irani Cup, the captain of Vidarbha is Akshay Wadkar, with Yash Rathod as vice-captain. The team combines experienced players and young talents who have performed well in the domestic season.
Vidarbha will look to build on their Ranji Trophy success and demonstrate consistency and skill throughout the five-day match.
Rest of India Team
The Rest of India team brings together top performers from various state teams who excelled in tournaments like the Duleep Trophy.
This team comprises players who have represented India A or demonstrated strong form in domestic cricket, providing the team with a balanced mix of skill and experience.
For the 2025 Irani Cup, Rajat Patidar is the captain, with Ruturaj Gaikwad as vice-captain. The Rest of India team will aim to challenge the Ranji champions with their best performances, making the match a platform for top domestic talent.
Full Squad Details for Irani Cup 2025
The Rest of India and Vidarbha Teams bring their best line-ups for the Irani Cup 2025, with captains, batters, bowlers, and all-rounders.
| Rest of India | Role | Vidarbha | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajat Patidar | Captain / Batter | Akshay Wadkar | Captain / WK-Batsman |
| Abhimanyu Easwaran | Batter | Yash Rathod | Batter |
| Yash Dhull | Batter | Aman Mokhade | Batter |
| Shaik Rasheed | Batter | Dhruv Shorey | Batter |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | Batter | Atharva Taide | Batter |
| Tanush Kotian | Bowling All-rounder | Nachiket Bhute | Batting All-rounder |
| Anshul Kamboj | Bowling All-rounder | Yash Kadam | Batting All-rounder |
| Saransh Jain | Bowling All-rounder | Danish Malewar | Bowling All-rounder |
| Aryan Juyal | Wicket-keeper | Harsh Dubey | Bowling All-rounder |
| Ishan Kishan | Wicket-keeper | Darshan Nalkande | Bowling All-rounder |
| Manav Suthar | Bowler | Akshay Karnewar | Bowling All-rounder |
| Gurnoor Brar | Bowler | Shivam Deshmukh | WK-Batsman |
| Akash Deep | Bowler | Praful Hinge | Bowler |
| Khaleel Ahmed | Bowler | Parth Rekhade | Bowler |
| – | – | Aditya Thakare | Bowler |
| – | – | Yash Thakur | Bowler |
The Irani Cup 2025 features Rest of India and Vidarbha competing against each other with well-rounded squads.
Both teams combine experienced players with young talent, making them strong in batting, bowling, and all-round options.
The Rest of India unites the best performers from across the domestic season, while Vidarbha comes in as the Ranji Trophy champions.
Each team has depth and balance, which should make the five-day match competitive and enjoyable from start to finish.
Live Streaming and Broadcast Options for Irani Cup 2025
You can catch all the action of the Irani Cup 2025 live on JioHotstar, which will stream every day of the match. If you prefer TV, JioStar Network channels have you covered with full live coverage.
For quick updates or ball-by-ball scores, official cricket apps and websites are perfect. No matter where you are, these options make it easy to follow the match from Nagpur and stay updated with every key moment.
Key Players to Watch in Irani Cup 2025
The Irani Cup 2025 looks set for some interesting moments, and a few players could really decide how the match goes.
For the Rest of India Team, Abhimanyu Easwaran is important because he can anchor the innings when the team is under pressure.
Tanush Kotian is another player to watch, as he contributes to both batting and bowling, providing the team with extra strength at crucial moments.
For the Vidarbha Team, captain Akshay Wadkar leads with experience and helps his bowlers stay on track.
Yash Kadam is also key, often stepping up in the middle order to keep the team in control.
Recap of 2024 Irani Cup
The 2024 Irani Cup saw Mumbai lift the trophy after facing the Rest of India. Their strong first-innings lead gave them an early advantage, setting the tone for the match.
Tanush Kotian played a key role, scoring his second first-class century and proving his value as an all-rounder. Saransh Jain’s six-wicket haul made it difficult for the opposition to gain momentum.
Lower-order contributions also mattered. Mohit Awasthi scored his maiden half-century, and important partnerships helped Mumbai post big totals. Together, these performances secured a well-earned victory in this prestigious tournament.
Suggested Reads:
Conclusion: The Irani Cup 2025 Will Take Place In Nagpur From October 1–5
The Irani Cup 2025 promises an exciting showdown between Vidarbha and the Rest of India over five days of first-class cricket.
It’s an excellent chance for young players to make a mark, while experienced cricketers aim to strengthen their spots for future selections. Every session matters, and small moments could turn the match in either team’s favor.
Do not forget to follow live scores, updates, and highlights to stay connected with all the action throughout this prestigious tournament.
FAQs
The Rest of India team for the Irani Cup 2025 has been selected by the BCCI selectors from top domestic performers, excluding Vidarbha.
The Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai has hosted numerous Irani Cup matches over the years, though the tournament has been played across various venues throughout India.
In the Irani Cup 2025, standout players receive awards for exceptional batting, bowling, or all-round performances, highlighting their contributions.
International cricket fans can follow the match via JioHotstar (where available) or official cricket websites offering live scores and commentary.
Impressive Irani Cup performances enhance players’ visibility with national selectors, showcasing talent against strong opposition and often earning India A call-ups.
