The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has announced a strong 16-member squad for the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 opening against Jammu and Kashmir, which will take place on October 15 at Srinagar’s Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium. The team will be led by Shardul Thakur, an all-rounder. Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian T20I skipper, has not been named in the team.
The seasoned Selection Committee, chaired by Sanjay Patil, announced the squad on Friday, which includes seasoned players such as Ajinkya Rahane, Siddhesh Lad, Sarfaraz Khan, and all-rounders Shivam Dube and Shams Mulani. Aakash Anand will take up wicketkeeping duties, with Hardik Tamore serving as his backup. Ayush Mhatre, India’s U19 captain, and Musheer Khan have also been retained. However, there has been no official explanation for Suryakumar’s exclusion, but it is believed that workload management and national assignments were reasons in 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
India
