# Mukesh, Akash lead Rest of India to Irani Cup win

> Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep, fast bowlers with similar journeys, share a tight bond that helped Rest of India win the Irani Cup.
- Title: Mukesh, Akash lead Rest of India to Irani Cup win · Sportstar
- Summary: Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep, fast bowlers with similar journeys, share a tight bond that helped Rest of India win the Irani Cup. Rest of India's Mukesh Kumar…
- Keywords: mukesh kumar, akash deep, rest of india, irani cup, cricket, bengal, jammu and kashmir, sports, Mukesh, Akash, lead, Rest
- Source: Sportstar — https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/mukesh-kumar-akash-deep-rest-of-india-irani-cup-2026-win/article71543826.ece
- Author: Vivek Krishnan
- Published: 2026-10-04T13:09:41+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: mukesh kumar, akash deep, rest of india, irani cup, cricket, bengal, jammu and kashmir, sports
## Mukesh and Akash bond
Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep share a tight bond after meeting for the first time.

> Forget it. Jab bhi mile hain, gale mile hain (Whenever we have met, we have hugged each other)
## Rest of India wins Irani Cup
Rest of India pacers Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep claimed nine wickets between them in the win over Jammu & Kashmir.
## Bowl together
When they bowl together, it is fun. They enjoy it and communicate effectively.

> When we bowl together, it’s fun. We enjoy it. When something happens from my end with the ball, I tell him.
## Akash returns from injury
Akash Deep returned from a seven-month injury layoff to bowl over 140kmph.

> My body needed a rest. God gave it to me in the form of an injury and I utilised it well.
## Mukesh's performance
Mukesh Kumar took six wickets for 33 runs in the Irani Cup final.

> Mukesh (six for 33) and Akash (three for 25) shared nine wickets among them to bowl out J&K for 111 in the fourth innings.
## Team victory
Rest of India defeated Jammu & Kashmir in the fourth innings to win the Irani Cup 2026.
## Key takeaway

Rest of India's Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep, who have similar backgrounds and a strong bond, led their team to victory in the Irani Cup 2026.