Mumbai Announces Ranji Squad; Shardul Thakur Named Captain, Surya Opts Out

India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has opted out of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy opener against Jammu and Kashmir, set to begin October 15 in Srinagar, prompting speculation about his red-ball priorities. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) senior selection committee announced a 16-member squad on Friday, with Yadav’s absence standing out despite no reported injury. An MCA official clarified to RevSportz that Yadav’s decision applies only to the first match, emphasizing his expected return for later games. “He didn’t mention any injury, and going ahead, he would play. Maybe he wants a bit of downtime before the Australia tour,” the official noted, referencing India’s white-ball tour starting October 19, where Yadav will lead the T20I side but not feature in the ODIs.

Mumbai, the 42-time Ranji champions, will be captained by all-rounder Shardul Thakur, who succeeds Ajinkya Rahane after the veteran batter stepped down from leadership but remains in the squad. The team, departing for Srinagar on Saturday, welcomes back key players like Sarfaraz Khan, who missed the Duleep Trophy due to a wrist injury, and Shivam Dube, bolstering a formidable lineup. The squad blends youth and experience, featuring Ayush Mhatre, Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, and wicketkeepers Aakash Anand and Hardik Tamore, alongside pace spearheads Tushar Deshpande and Royston Dias. This robust selection aims to kick off the 2025-26 campaign with a statement win in the challenging away fixture.

Yadav’s decision comes after a modest Ranji season last year, where he scored 109 runs at an average of 21.80 across three matches. At 35, his focus appears tilted toward white-ball cricket, especially with the Australia tour looming, comprising three ODIs and five T20Is. Unlike Shreyas Iyer, who has distanced himself from red-ball cricket, Yadav’s absence is framed as temporary, with the MCA banking on his return to bolster their title defense. Mumbai’s storied Ranji legacy—last clinched in 2023-24—faces early tests in Group A, with Jammu and Kashmir eager to upset the giants on home turf.

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The squad announcement also highlights Mumbai’s depth, with emerging talents like Musheer Khan and Akhil Herwadkar complementing stalwarts like Rahane and Thakur. As domestic cricket gains momentum ahead of India’s international commitments, all eyes will be on Srinagar to see if Mumbai can harness their firepower without their T20I skipper, while Yadav’s brief hiatus raises questions about balancing national duties with domestic obligations in an increasingly packed cricket calendar.

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