Shreyas Iyer, a star Indian batter who has been sidelined for nearly three months due to a spleen injury, has been selected Mumbai’s captain for the remaining Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 league matches. Mumbai were forced to make a leadership change after regular captain Shardul Thakur was ruled out of the tournament owing to a calf injury received during the crushing defeat to Maharashtra.
The Mumbai Cricket Association chose Iyer’s for the vital job. Mumbai is now second in Elite Group C with 16 points from five matches, but their net run rate has dropped following the 128-run defeat. With matches against Himachal Pradesh and Punjab remaining, at least one win is required to advance to the knockout stage.
Notably, the 34-year-old has completed his rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence and successfully came through match simulations earlier this month. His participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy is part of the BCCI’s return-to-play protocol, with the medical team keen to assess whether he can handle the demands of a full 100-over contest pain-free.
Shreyas Iyer named India’s vice-captain for NZ ODIs
Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube are joining the Mumbai squad in Jaipur. In-form batter Sarfaraz Khan, who missed the previous game due to quadriceps discomfort, is expected to return as well. Sarfaraz has been Mumbai’s standout performer with 220 runs from three matches at an average of 110. Iyer will be closely watched, particularly with Mumbai missing Thakur’s all-round contributions. The seamer had been their best bowler so far, taking 11 wickets in five matches at an average of 9.54.
Furthermore, Iyer was named India’s vice-captain for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting January 11, but is subject to final fitness clearance. The selectors are confident about his recovery, and a smooth run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy could see him feature in one or more ODIs, making his first international appearance since October last year.
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