Mukesh Kumar staked his claim for a Test recall with an eight-wicket haul in the Irani Cup final in Srinagar, as Rest of India beat Jammu and Kashmir by 167 runs to retain the trophy.

He took 2 for 84 in the first innings before ripping through the hosts with 6 for 33 in the second, taking his match tally to eight. Fellow pacer Akash Deep matched his second-innings figures with 6 for 33 of his own.

The timing could not be better. India tour New Zealand from October 22 to December 1 for five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests, and the selectors are watching. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has been monitoring the fringe pace pack, and a four-member selection panel led by Pragyan Ojha is due to pick the squad in the coming days.

Mukesh's case is built on consistency in domestic red-ball cricket rather than express pace. With Jasprit Bumrah's workload managed and Mohammed Shami's fitness uncertain, there may be an opening for a seamer who can bowl long spells.

The squad of 16 or 17 is expected shortly. Mukesh has done everything asked of him in Srinagar, and the rest is out of his hands.