Mumbai, the reigning champions of the Ranji Trophy, are gearing up for the upcoming 2024-25 season with the announcement of their squad for the first two matches. The team is set to kick off their campaign against Baroda in an away game on October 11, followed by a home match against Maharashtra on October 18.
In a notable development, star batsman Sarfaraz Khan has not been named in the squad for these matches. This decision aligns with the scheduling of the India-New Zealand Test match, which is set to commence on October 16 in Bengaluru. Sarfaraz's omission comes as he is expected to continue representing the Indian team, particularly following his remarkable performance in the Irani Cup, where he scored an impressive 222 runs in the first innings against the Rest of India. His double century was instrumental in leading Mumbai to victory in that match. Reports suggest that Sarfaraz will likely remain at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru before joining his Indian teammates ahead of the Test series.
Despite Sarfaraz's absence, Mumbai's squad includes former captain Shreyas Iyer, who returns to bolster the batting lineup. Ajinkya Rahane, who performed well for Mumbai in the Irani Cup, will take charge as the captain for the first two matches. The inclusion of young talent Angkrish Raghuvanshi, a rising star from the Kolkata Knight Riders, adds fresh energy to the squad. Additionally, all-rounder Shardul Thakur is back in the fold, giving Mumbai an opportunity to showcase his skills in the domestic arena.
Mumbai will be looking to build on their successful run in the previous season and aim for a strong start to this year's campaign against Baroda and Maharashtra, both teams being formidable opponents in the West Zone. With a mix of experienced players and emerging talents, the Mumbai squad is eager to defend their title and make a mark in the upcoming Ranji Trophy season.
The finalized squad for the first two matches includes:
- Ajinkya Rahane (c)
- Prithvi Shaw
- Ayush Mhatre
- Shreyas Iyer
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- Siddhessh Lad
- Suryansh Shedge
- Hardik Tamore (wk)
- Sidhaant Addhatrao (wk)
- Shams Mulani
- Tanush Kotian
- Himanshu Singh
- Shardul Thakur
- Mohit Avasthi
- Mohd. Juned Khan
- Royston Dias
As the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season approaches, all eyes will be on how Mumbai navigates these early challenges and strives to retain their championship title.
