Mumbai sidelines Suryakumar Yadav for Ranji opener despite his availability
Mumbai appointed 19-year-old Ayush Mhatre vice-captain and left out Suryakumar Yadav for the Ranji Trophy opener against Chandigarh.
Mumbai named teenager Ayush Mhatre vice-captain and left out Suryakumar Yadav for their Ranji Trophy 2026-27 opener against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium from October 11. Chief selector Rajesh Pawar said the 19-year-old, who led India Under-19 to the World Cup title, will be groomed alongside captain Siddhesh Lad. The selection committee chose to start with youth while Suryakumar Yadav, who had made himself available, was left out.
Pawar said Suryakumar has not played red-ball cricket for 18 months and needs games to regain his rhythm. Mumbai will also miss Shardul Thakur, who fractured his right middle finger in training and is expected to miss at least the first two matches. Yashasvi Jaiswal returns for the opener and will benefit from game time ahead of India's Test series against New Zealand.
The 16-member squad includes Musheer Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian. Mhatre led Mumbai in the Buchi Babu tournament last season and the MCA views him as a future leadership prospect.
CricHubb Take
The decision marks a deliberate shift in Mumbai's selection philosophy that prioritises grooming a new generation of leaders over accommodating established stars who have not played red-ball cricket for 18 months.