Mumbai will begin its Ranji Trophy 2026-27 campaign against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium on October 11. Siddhesh Lad leads the 42-time champions, with 19-year-old Ayush Mhatre appointed as vice-captain. The squad announcement has drawn attention following the exclusion of Suryakumar Yadav, the 2026 T20 World Cup-winning captain, from the opening fixture.
Rajesh Pawar, the selection official, stated that Suryakumar remains a big-match player and a proven performer for Mumbai but needs to regain his rhythm with a few red-ball matches. Suryakumar has not played a first-class match for around 18 months, with his last competitive cricket coming during the Mumbai T20 League in June. The snub followed communication issues during the pre-season, as Suryakumar skipped training with the Mumbai team and had not answered selectors’ calls about 10 days before the selection meeting, making himself available only closer to the selection date.
“Surya has been a fantastic player for Mumbai cricket. He has done a lot for Mumbai cricket over the years and also for the Indian team. He is a World Cup-winning captain. In our group, there is tremendous respect for Surya,” Lad was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.
Lad respects selectors’ decision while backing prepared players
Lad’s measured response reflected his acceptance of the selection committee’s reasoning while maintaining his respect for Suryakumar’s contributions to Mumbai cricket. The captain made clear that the door remains open for players who demonstrate commitment during preparation.
“I am sure whoever is in contention and preparing well for the season will always be in the conversation. But I don’t want to go beyond the selectors. It’s their job, and my job is to work with the 15-member squad that I have,” Lad said.
Shardul Thakur’s injury and recovery timeline
Shardul Thakur‘s absence from the opening match adds another dimension to Mumbai’s squad planning. Shardul was sidelined for about a month after sustaining a blow to his hand off an Ayush Mhatre stroke in the nets during preparation.
“A player like Shardul gives us the right balance in the team. We are going to miss Shardul in the first game for sure. But we are also trying to see how quickly he can recover and get back to playing,” Lad said.
Mumbai’s preparation has focused on fitness and fielding standards ahead of the new season. The team worked extensively on fitness metrics from the off-season camp, establishing clear fitness benchmarks for the squad.
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Mumbai’s fitness and fielding preparation
“We worked a lot on our fitness right from the off-season camp. The fitness markers have definitely gone up, and we now have a fitness standard,” Lad said.
Mumbai’s 42-time Ranji Trophy championship history creates significant pressure on the current squad. Lad acknowledged this legacy while expressing the unit’s determination to embrace rather than shy away from expectations.
“I feel that because of Mumbai’s rich history, being 42-time champions, the legacy we have, and the players who have represented Mumbai, the pressure will always be there,” Lad said.
