From October 1 to 5, Saurashtra, the 2019–20 Ranji Trophy champions, will host the Rest of India in Rajkot for an Irani Cup match.
In March 2020, Saurashtra defeated Bengal in the Ranji final thanks to their first-inning lead. The Irani Cup match that was scheduled to take place a week later had to be postponed due of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In India, the Covid-19 is still dominating, hence the 2020–21 domestic cricket season did not feature red balls. For the first time in 87 years, even the Ranji Trophy was cancelled. In the 2021–22 cricket season, India's top domestic event made a comeback, and Madhya Pradesh won it after defeating Mumbai by six wickets in the final in June.
The BCCI has finally granted Saurashtra an opportunity to compete in the Irani Cup, which is back after a two-year break, according to a report on ESPNcricinfo. The current Ranji champions MP do not yet know when they will be able to compete in the Irani Cup, though.
The season's last game will be played by the current Ranji winners, according to information.
The Saurashtra Cricket Association said in a statement on Sunday that the BCCI Domestic Season 2022–23 will be played in full swing and the Irani Cup will be contested after two long years.
"With the help of Mr. Jaydev Shah, President of the Saurashtra Cricket Association, BCCI has graciously thought about playing Irani Cup in the former format, in which the Ranji Trophy winner from the previous year competed against the rest of India.
The Saurashtra Cricket Association would like to express their sincere gratitude to Shri Jaybhai Shah, the BCCI's Hon. Secretary, and to all BCCI staff members for graciously considering their proposal to host and play the renowned Irani Cup in 2022 "It was amazing.
The most recent Irani Cup competition took place in Nagpur in February 2019, with Vidarbha defeating the Rest of India thanks to an early advantage.