Irani Cup (India) 2022/23

The Irani Cup is a premier domestic first-class cricket competition in India, organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). It was established to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Ranji Trophy, named in honour of Zal R. Irani, a long-serving BCCI president and treasurer. Initially a one-off event, it became an annual fixture in 1962.

The tournament serves as a secondary, curtain-raiser or season-concluding event within the Indian domestic cricket pyramid, distinct from the primary Ranji Trophy state championship. The format consists of a single, five-day first-class match played between the reigning Ranji Trophy champions and a composite "Rest of India" team. The Rest of India squad is selected by the All-India Senior Selection Committee from players not representing the Ranji Trophy-winning state.

Since the 2012–13 season, the match has been played immediately after the Ranji Trophy final, whereas previously it was often held at the start of the domestic season. A unique rule dictates that if the match ends in a draw, the team with the first-innings lead is declared the winner. There is no promotion or relegation; participation is strictly determined by Ranji Trophy performance.

Rest of India is the most successful team in the tournament's history with 30 wins, followed by Mumbai with 14 wins. Mumbai holds the record for the most appearances (30). The current holder is Mumbai, which won its 15th title in October 2024 by virtue of a first-innings lead against Rest of India in a drawn match. Notable historical reforms include the Lodha Panel recommendations, which influenced the selection process to ensure selectors were former Test players.