Suryakumar Yadav was ‘not dropped’ from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy team, MCA official reveals

Suryakumar Yadav, India’s T20I captain, was absent from Mumbai’s team for the first round of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy. Many people speculated if the veteran batsman had been dropped ahead of Mumbai’s opening match against Jammu & Kashmir. However, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has emphasised that Suryakumar’s absence was not owing to selection grounds, but rather because his availability was not confirmed on time.

Mumbai’s 16-man roster for their Ranji opener against Jammu and Kashmir at Srinagar’s Sher-I-Kashmir Stadium from October 15 to 18 saw several notable additions and absences. Shardul Thakur took over as captain from Ajinkya Rahane, and the team also included Sarfaraz Khan, Siddhesh Lad, Shivam Dube, and U19 captain Ayush Mhatre.

Suryakumar Yadav was among the squad’s notable absences.

Given that the Indian T20I skipper hasn’t played a first-class match since February 2025, his absence came as a surprise. The batter was expected to return to red-ball cricket before India’s five-match T20I series against Australia, starting on October 29. However, MCA secretary Abhay Hadap put an end to the speculation.

“No, SKY hasn’t been dropped. It’s just that his availability wasn’t confirmed for this match. The Mumbai Cricket Association’s staff tried to contact him (to ask if he would play in the match), but he didn’t give his availability for this match to us,” MCA secretary Abhay Hadap told to TOI.

While Suryakumar will sit out the first Ranji fixture, Mumbai will still have a strong core. All-rounder Dube, also part of India’s T20I squad for the Australia series, will feature in the opening round before flying out.