Mumbai names Ayush Mhatre vice-captain, drops Suryakumar Yadav for Ranji opener
Mumbai appointed 19-year-old Ayush Mhatre vice-captain and left out Suryakumar Yadav for the Ranji Trophy opener against Chandigarh.
Mumbai named 19-year-old Ayush Mhatre vice-captain for their Ranji Trophy 2026-27 opener against Chandigarh at the Wankhede starting October 11. Chief selector Rajesh Pawar said the teenager, who led India Under-19 to the World Cup title, will learn alongside captain Siddhesh Lad while the side leans on youth. Suryakumar Yadav made himself available but was left out.
Pawar explained Suryakumar hasn't played red-ball cricket for 18 months and needs matches to find his touch again. Mumbai will also be without Shardul Thakur, who broke his right middle finger in training and is likely to miss the first two games. Yashasvi Jaiswal returns for the opener, giving him time in the middle ahead of India's Test series against New Zealand.
The 16-man squad includes Musheer Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian. Mhatre captained Mumbai in the Buchi Babu tournament last season, and the MCA sees him as a long-term leadership prospect.
CricHubb Take
The real test will come when Mhatre struggles on a flat track or in a tight chase — whether the selectors keep backing him or quietly slide Suryakumar back in for experience.