The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has unveiled a 16-man squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy Elite season opener against Chandigarh, scheduled for October 11 at the Wankhede Stadium. In a strategic shift, the selectors have named 19-year-old Ayush Mhatre as the vice-captain. Sources within the association indicate that Mhatre, who previously captained India to an Under-19 World Cup victory, is being groomed for a future leadership role, despite his limited experience of only 13 first-class matches over the past two years. The 42-time champions take on Chandigarh at the Wankhede from October 11. “He is obviously a big-match player and a proven performer for Mumbai.
While national opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has been included after making himself available for the fixture, the selection committee opted to leave out former India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav. Although Suryakumar had communicated his availability to the selection panel led by Rajesh Pawar, he was not considered for the lineup. Pawar explained that the decision stems from the batter’s prolonged absence from red-ball cricket, as he has not featured in the format for 18 months. The committee intends for him to regain his rhythm through consistent match practice before reintegrating him into the side. So we want him to have a few games under his belt and then he can get into the team,” Pawar said, surya hasn’t played a red-ball match for the last 18 months.
Suryakumar has been away from competitive cricket since his participation in the Mumbai T20 League this June, following his tenure as the captain for the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Khan, who recently stepped in for Rishabh Pant during the Irani Cup, is included in the squad but does not hold a formal leadership position. The team will be captained by Siddhesh Lad for this encounter.
The squad announcement also noted two significant absentees. Former captain Shardul Thakur is sidelined after sustaining a fracture to his right middle finger, with Pawar noting that he might miss the first two matches of the campaign. Additionally, pace-bowling all-rounder Suryansh Shedge was unavailable for selection for the opener, as he has been called up to the India A squad for the upcoming three-match one-day series in Puducherry.
