Irani Cup to be moved out of Mumbai owing to monsoon season

The forthcoming Irani Cup match, previously slated to take place in Mumbai, is going to be transferred to a new venue due to the city’s extended rainy season. The Irani Cup, an important event of India’s domestic cricket calendar, pits the defending Ranji Trophy champions against a Rest of India (ROI) squad which is set to take place from October 1 to October 5.

This year’s tournament was supposed to include Mumbai, who earned the Ranji Trophy title in March 2024. Notably, they claimed the coveted title under the leadership of seasoned batter, Ajinkya Rahane. Their hard-fought victory over Vidarbha by 169 runs at the famous Wankhede Stadium had sealed their spot in the intriguing home game in the Irani Cup.

However, the protracted rainy season in Mumbai has led to the city’s cricket grounds being unfit for holding a five-day match of such importance. As to Times of India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which had earlier declared Mumbai as the venue in its 2024-25 domestic calendar, has been compelled to reconsider its choice in view of the continuing wet circumstances.

Ahmedabad and Lucknow frontrunners to host Irani Cup

Two sites have emerged as frontrunners to host the famous Irani Cup 2024 tie, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Both these state-of-the-art venues have the requisite infrastructure and dry conditions required to conduct a match of this calibre.

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The Mumbai team would now be bereft of their home advantage. Nevertheless, Rahane & Co. will be anxious to build on their Ranji Trophy success and prove themselves against the greatest cricketers from the rest of the country.