India
The Irani Trophy, also known as the Z.R. Irani Cup, is an annual first-class cricket tournament organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). It was introduced in the 1959-60 season to mark the completion of 25 years of Z.R. Irani's association with the BCCI. The tournament is played between the winners of the Ranji Trophy and a Rest of India cricket team, which includes players from Ranji teams of various states. The Rest of India team has won the tournament 30 times, making them the most successful team.
The Irani Cup serves as a pathway for players to enter the national cricket team. Historically, it was considered a premier domestic tournament and a trial game for players to showcase their skills at the national level. The tournament is played between the winners of the Ranji Trophy, which is the premier first-class cricket tournament in India, and a Rest of India team, comprising players from the Ranji teams of various states.
This format provides an opportunity for outstanding performers in the Ranji Trophy to compete against a strong Rest of India team, thereby catching the attention of the national selectors. Therefore, a strong performance in the Ranji Trophy can lead to participation in the Irani Cup and potentially open the doors to the national team.
