What is Irani Cup?

On one hand, we are witnessing India accelerating their Test season, with the first Test already completed against Bangladesh and one more to go. On the other hand, there is a string of domestic competitions gaining attention.

Just a few days ago, the Duleep Trophy wrapped up with India A finishing on top and clinching the title. Now we are all set for the prestigious Irani Trophy, the one-off five-day game set to take place between the current Ranji champions, Mumbai, and the Rest of India from October 1 to October 5 at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium. But what is the Irani Cup, when did it start, and why has it been marked as one of the important tournament? See the details of this prestigious silverware.

What is Irani trophy?

Since its first edition in 1959-60, this prestigious cup has become the pinnacle. It is an annual one-off first-class match played between the current Ranji Trophy champions and Rest of India, which is composed of players from other state teams.

Now, speaking more about the Irani Cup, it was initially meant to be a one-off event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Ranji Trophy. However, after receiving a positive response, the BCCI in 1962 made this tournament annual. The trophy was named in honor of Z.R. Irani, who served as the treasurer of the board in two terms (1928-29 to 1945-46 and 1948-49 to 1961-62) and later became president in 1966. Z.R. Irani is also known as the man behind this unique Irani Trophy fixture.

What is ROI in Irani Cup

ROI stands for Rest of India in the Irani Trophy, which is composed of players who are not part of the current Ranji Trophy champions but can play against them in this annual one-off match. ROI typically consists of players who are giving commendable performances for their states across the country.

Irani Cup winners List

Year	Winner	Runner-Up
2023/24	Rest of India	Saurashtra
2022/23	Rest of India	Madhya Pradesh (2021/22 Ranji winners)
2022/23	Rest of India	Saurashtra (2019/20 Ranji winners)
2019/20 to 2021/22	No competition (cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic)
2017/18	Vidarbha	Rest of India
2018/19	Vidarbha	Rest of India
2016/17	Rest of India	Gujarat
2015/16	Rest of India	Mumbai
2014/15	Karnataka	Rest of India
2013/14	Karnataka	Rest of India
2012/13	Rest of India	Rajasthan
2012/13	Rest of India	Rajasthan
2011/12	Rest of India	Rajasthan
2010/11	Rest of India	Mumbai
2009/10	Rest of India	Mumbai
2008/09	Rest of India	Delhi
2007/08	Rest of India	Mumbai
2006/07	Rest of India	Uttar Pradesh
2005/06	Railways	Rest of India
2004/05	Rest of India	Mumbai
2003/04	Rest of India	Mumbai
2002-03	Railways	Rest of India
2001/02	Rest of India	Baroda
2000/01	Rest of India	Mumbai
1999/00	Rest of India	Karnataka
1998/99	Karnataka	Rest of India
1997/98	Mumbai	Rest of India
1996/97	Karnataka	Rest of India
1995/96	Bombay	Rest of India
1994/95	Bombay	Rest of India
1993/94	Rest of India	Punjab
1992/93	Rest of India	Delhi
1991/92	Haryana	Rest of India
1990/91	Rest of India	Bengal
1989/90	Delhi	Rest of India
1988/89	Tamil Nadu	Rest of India
1987/88	Hyderabad	Rest of India
1986/87	Rest of India	Delhi
1985/86	Bombay	Rest of India
1984/85	Rest of India	Bombay
1983/84	Karnataka	Rest of India
1982/83	Rest of India	Delhi
1980/81	Delhi	Rest of India
1978/79	Rest of India	Karnataka
1977/78	Rest of India	Bombay
1976/77	Bombay	Rest of India
1975/76	Bombay	Rest of India
1974/75	Karnataka	Rest of India
1973/74	Rest of India	Bombay
1972/73	Bombay	Rest of India
1971/72	Rest of India	Bombay
1970/71	Bombay	Rest of India
1969/70	Bombay	Rest of India
1968/69	Rest of India	Bombay
1967/68	Bombay	Rest of India
1966/67	Rest of India	Bombay
1965/66	Bombay and Rest of India (shared)
1964/65	No competition
1963/64	Bombay	Rest of India
1962/63	Bombay	Rest of India
1961/62	No competition
1960/61	No competition
1959/60	Bombay	Rest of India