Srinagar's Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium hosts its first-ever five-day Irani Cup match as J&K faces Rest of India, signaling a major return for high-level cricket in Kashmir.
Srinagar's Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium created history on Thursday, October 1, 2026, by hosting its first-ever Irani Cup match. On day one of the five-day fixture, the Jammu & Kashmir team dominated Rest of India at pace, signaling a major milestone for cricket in the Valley.
The atmosphere marks a complete turn from October 13, 1983, when 21 men stormed the pitch during the lunch break of an India versus West Indies match and damaged the playing surface in an attempt to internationalise the Kashmir issue. That 1983 match, which West Indies won by 28 runs, led to a 22-year trial; accused individuals, including separatist leaders Shakeel Bakshi and Shabir Ahmad Shah, were acquitted in 2011 due to a lack of evidence.
To prevent any historical repeat, the J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) limited stadium crowd strength to a manageable 5,000. Authorities pre-screened invitees and guests, issuing limited passes to outside crowds alongside multi-tiered security.
The event has buoyed local leadership and administrators. Nasir Aslam Wani, National Conference leader and adviser to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, celebrated the occasion while pointing to local talent like pacer Aquib Nabi, who recently debuted in a Test match for India. Wani noted plans to invest in local cricket infrastructure across districts and tehsils with an eye on hosting IPL matches in the future.
BCCI chairman Mithun Manhas expressed enthusiasm for bringing more high-level cricket back to Kashmir after nearly four decades. Manhas affirmed that the BCCI will fully support the JKCA to organize matches on a bigger scale and eventually bring international games back to the region.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Cricket. Photo courtesy The Hindu Cricket.