The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has announced a strong 16-member squad for their Ranji Trophy 2025-26 opener against Jammu and Kashmir, beginning on October 15 at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar. The team is set to be led by all-rounder Shardul Thakur. However, Indian T2OI skipper Suryakumar Yadav has not been included in the squad.
The Senior Selection Committee, chaired by Sanjay Patil, named the squad on Friday, with the team including senior players like Ajinkya Rahane, Siddhesh Lad, Sarfaraz Khan, and all-rounders Shivam Dube and Shams Mulani. Aakash Anand will take up wicketkeeping duties, with Hardik Tamore as his backup. India U19 captain Ayush Mhatre and Musheer Khan have also been retained. However, there has been no official reason for Suryakumar’s exclusion, but it is understood that workload management and national assignments could be factors behind his exclusion.
Sarfaraz Khan returns to the Mumbai squad
Thakur takes over as captain after Ajinkya Rahane stepped down from leadership duties ahead of the new season. The 42-time champions will rely heavily on Thakur’s all-around abilities and his experience. Rahane, meanwhile, continues as a key batting member in the middle order, providing much-needed stability to a team looking to bounce back after finishing runners-up to Vidarbha last season.
Meanwhile, Sarfaraz, who missed the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament due to injury, has now been declared fit by the BCCI and is set to reunite with his younger brother Musheer in the playing XI. Tushar Deshpande, returning after missing the 2024-25 season due to an ankle injury, strengthens the pace attack alongside Thakur and Royston Dias. The squad is very much similar to the one that featured in a three-day practice game against Maharashtra. Mumbai, placed in Elite Group D alongside Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi, Hyderabad, and others, will begin its campaign on October 15.
Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy 2025-26 squad for Kashmir match:
Shardul Thakur (C), Ayush Mhatre, Aakash Anand (WK), Ajinkya Rahane, Siddhesh Lad, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande, Sylvester Dsouza, Hardik Tamore (WK), Irfan Umair, Musheer Khan, Akhil Herwadkar, Royston Dias
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