Mumbai face Himachal on unfamiliar ground as Mhatre ruled out for six weeks
Mumbai travel to Luhnu without Mhatre and Jaiswal as Himachal return to a ground unused for 25 years.
Mumbai head into their second Ranji Trophy 2026-27 fixture on Sunday at Luhnu Cricket Ground against Himachal Pradesh, looking to build on the bonus-point win they secured inside three days against Chandigarh. Himachal, after their loss to Haryana, will play at a ground they have not used for a first-class match in 25 years, and their bowling attack may find the task tough.
Ayush Mhatre is ruled out for four to six weeks after tearing his right hamstring, while Yashasvi Jaiswal heads off for India A's New Zealand tour ahead of the two-Test series. Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Suryansh Shedge have been added to the squad, and Tushar Deshpande leads the attack after taking seven wickets, including a hat-trick, against Chandigarh.
Seam movement is likely in the morning, with batting conditions expected to improve later. Himachal's bowlers will need quick wickets, and captain Pukhraj Mann along with Nehal Wadhera will carry much of the batting load.
CricHubb Take
Mumbai's bench strength will be tested before the real battles begin, and a six-week absence for Mhatre may force the selectors to look elsewhere for the New Zealand tour.