Irani Cup 2026 | Srinagar cricket ground rewrites history to outpace memories of 1983 India-West India fiasco
With the J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) limiting the crowd strength to a manageable 5000 in the stadium, those who sit in the stands are monitored to ensure the history is not repeated.
On October 1, 2026, the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar marked the first-ever Irani Cup match, creating history. In contrast, in 1983, the same ground witnessed a fiasco when 21 men disrupted the India-West Indies match during lunch break. To prevent a similar incident, the J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) limited the crowd to 5000 and monitored them.
The Association also screened guests and invitees, issuing limited passes to outside crowds. With the J&K Team dominating the Rest of India on day one, the political atmosphere has shifted. Nasir Aslam Wani, NC leader, expressed happiness at the event, stating that Kashmir hosting the Irani Cup is a positive sign. In 1983, the NC party was ruling J&K when the pitch was damaged to internationalize the Kashmir issue.
However, the accused in that case were acquitted in 2011 due to lack of evidence. The current political climate is different, with crowds enthusiastically supporting the match. J&K Team's pacer Aquib Nabi, who debuted in a test match for India recently, highlights the cricketing potential of the region. BCCI chairman Mithun Manhas expressed enthusiasm to bring more matches to Kashmir, stating that cricket has returned after almost four decades.
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