Irani Cup: Along Irani Trophy gaining attention, the current Ranji champions, Mumbai, will face the Rest of India. But do you know what the Irani Trophy is and what makes it special? On one hand, India is gearing up for its Test season, having already completed the first Test against Bangladesh and with another one coming up. On the other hand, several domestic competitions are also drawing interest. Just recently, India A won the Duleep Trophy, and now we’re excited for the prestigious Irani Trophy. This one-off five-day match will take place between the current Ranji champions, Mumbai, and the Rest of India from October 1 to October 5 at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium.
What is the Irani Trophy?
Since its first match in 1959-60, the Irani Trophy has become a key event in Indian cricket. It’s an annual one-off first-class match played between the Ranji Trophy champions and the Rest of India, which includes players from other state teams. Initially created to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Ranji Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to make it an annual event in 1962 due to its popularity. The trophy is named after Z.R. Irani, who was the treasurer of the BCCI during two terms and later became its president. He is known for establishing this unique match.
What is ROI in the Irani Cup?
ROI stands for Rest of India in the Irani Trophy. This team is made up of players who are not part of the Ranji Trophy champions but are selected based on their strong performances for their state teams across the country.
Irani Trophy Winners List
The Irani Trophy has seen various teams claiming the title over the decades. Check out the winners and runners-up since the 2023/24 season:
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | Rest of India | Saurashtra |
| 2022/23 | Rest of India | Madhya Pradesh |
| 2022/23 | Rest of India | Saurashtra |
| 2019/20 | No competition (cancelled due to Covid-19) | |
| 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 |
| 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 | Uttar Pradesh | Rest of India |
| 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 | Mumbai | Rest of India |
| 1999/00 | Karnataka | Rest of India |
| 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 | Bombay | Rest of India |
| 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 | Bombay | Rest of India |
| 1970/71 | Bombay | Rest of India |
| 1969/70 | Bombay | Rest of India |
| 1968/69 | Rest of India | Bombay |
| 1967/68 | Bombay | Rest of India |
FAQs
What is the Irani Trophy?
The Irani Trophy is a one-off first-class cricket match between the current Ranji Trophy champions and a team called Rest of India.
When did the Irani Trophy start?
It started in the 1959-60 season.
