Irani Cup 2025: Patidar Named Captain as Iyer Takes Fitness Break

Rajat Patidar has been picked in the Rest of India squad for the upcoming Irani Cup match against Vidarbha. The Senior Men’s Selection Committee announced the team on Thursday, September 25, along with the India A squad for the three-match one-day series against Australia A.

Irani Cup match between the reigning Ranji Trophy champions and Rest of India is scheduled to be played from October 1 in Nagpur. The squad features several big names apart from Patidar. The likes of Abhimanyu Easwaran, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Khaleel Ahmed, and Akash Deep will also feature for the team.

Patidar steps in as captain after Iyer’s back injury

Senior India batsman Shreyas Iyer was expected to lead the Rest of India team in the Irani Cup. But the right-handed batsman was not included in the squad as he had asked the BCCI for a break from red-ball cricket. The Mumbai player chose to step away for a while to focus on his fitness. He was recently named as India A captain for the two four-day matches against Australia A

Iyer played the first match but pulled out of the second because of back pain. He had first felt the pain during the Duleep Trophy earlier this month. With Iyer stepping aside, Patidar now has the chance to show his skills as captain. Earlier this year, he made a strong mark by leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their first-ever IPL title. He will be looking to reclaim the Irani Cup for the Rest of India after they suffered a loss against Mumbai last year.

Rest of India squad for Irani Cup 2025: Rajat Patidar (C), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Aryan Juyal (WK), Ruturaj Gaikwad (VC), Yash Dhull, Shaikh Rasheed, Ishan Kishan (WK), Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Khaleel Ahmed, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Saransh Jain

ALSO SEE:  Shreyas Iyer Takes Six-Month Red-Ball Break, to Lead India A in One-Day Series Against Australia A