MUM VS ROI ONE OFF MATCH

The much covered Irani Cup is back for the 2024 season and it is a One-off First-class game where the Ranji Trophy winners take on the best group of players from all over India. In the 2024 edition, it will be Mumbai taking on Rest of India in Lucknow in what is set up to be a star-studded affair. In the 61 editions so far, Rest of India have won 26 times with 25 losses to their name as well with Mumbai being the most successful Ranji side with 12 wins out of those 25 and this will be their 30th appearance. Talking about the teams, it will be Ajinkya Rahane who will captain Mumbai and will have some seasoned international cricketers at his disposal as well with the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Shardul Thakur and Prithvi Shaw. Another name to watch out will certainly be that of Musheer Khan who set the Ranji Trophy final ablaze but unfortunately he has been ruled out of this clash due to a car accident and he is on the road to recovery. Nevertheless, his elder brother Sarfaraz Khan who has been with the Indian side for the Test series against Bangladesh will be available for this contest and that will be a big boost for Mumbai as he has been prolific in the last couple of Ranji seasons. Mumbai also have a couple of spin all-rounders in the form of Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian who will come in handy as the game progresses. On the other hand, Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead the Rest of India side which is filled with household names, a lot of whom have either played for India or in the Indian T20 League. Abhimanyu Easwaran and Ishan Kishan will be the ones to watch out with the bat as the likes of Dhruv Jurel and Yash Dayal return from the Indian camp to partake in this contest. Sai Sudharsan is another one to keep an eye on with the bat and they have some seasoned pacers in the form of Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar and Prasidh Krishna all of whom have played for India. Rahul Chahar might lead the spin attack but we might see upcoming off spinner, Saransh Jain being employed as the main spinner. All in all, both teams are stacked with superstars of not just the domestic circuit but of the international arena as well. Rest of India are the reigning Irani Cup holders and will look to retain that crown. Can Mumbai do the Ranji and Irani double? Only time will tell.