The high-stakes Irani Cup 2026 clash between Jammu & Kashmir and Rest of India has produced plenty of drama at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar. With both sides battling for an important first-innings advantage, the bowlers have enjoyed significant assistance from the conditions. Mukesh Choudhary was among the Rest of India bowlers to make an early impact for his side, producing a clever delivery to send Shubham Khajuria back to the pavilion.
Mukesh Choudhary bowls Shubham Khajuria with a brilliant delivery
The breakthrough came on the 10th ball of J&K’s first innings when Choudhary produced another dangerous inswinger. The ball landed on a good length around off stump before nipping sharply back into the batter. Khajuria moved forward to defend but left a sizeable gap between his bat and pad. The ball found a slight inside edge and went on to clip the top of middle stump.
Choudhary immediately erupted in celebration after providing Rest of India with an early breakthrough. Khajuria departed for 4 off 10 deliveries, leaving J&K under early pressure as the ROI bowlers looked to make the most of the helpful conditions.
Here’s the video:
WHAT. A. DELIVERY! 🔥
🎥 How good was that absolute peach of a delivery from Mukesh Choudhary to rattle the stumps? |/
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/oztbDnMkuG#IraniCup pic.twitter.com/Ml2KqRjNBe
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) October 2, 2026
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Mukesh Choudhary puts J&K under pressure
The dismissal added to J&K’s early problems after Rest of India were bowled out for 237 in their first innings. Shikhar Mohan top-scored with 60, while Ravichandran Smaran contributed a crucial 68. Sunil Kumar and Lone Nasir picked up three wickets each for J&K. J&K’s response began poorly as ROI’s seamers exploited the movement on offer.
Choudhary and Akash Deep struck early, putting the hosts under pressure. Choudhary continued to trouble the top order and eventually finished with four wickets as J&K slipped to 37/4. Paras Dogra and Abdul Samad then launched a counter-attack, adding 97 runs for the fifth wicket. Samad scored a brisk 57 before his dismissal, while Dogra continued to fight with an unbeaten 41. Despite their resistance, J&K remained under pressure at 166/8, still trailing Rest of India by 71 runs.
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