Mumbai Announces Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Squad: Star Batsman Misses Out!

On Thursday, October 8, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) released the Ranji Trophy team for the season's opening two matches. Shreyas Iyer is still in the Indian team, but Sarfaraz Khan, who was supposed to play in the three-match Test series against New Zealand, has been left out. 

Iyer received backlash and almost lost his BCCI contract in the previous season for missing the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal. He has made red-ball cricket his top priority this year, participating in all three Duleep Trophy matches and making an appearance in the Irani Cup. The middle-order hitter is said to be far from playing his greatest cricket, despite hitting two half-centuries in the Duleep Trophy and another in the Irani Cup's opening innings.

Tanush Kotian, an Indian main League player with the Rajasthan Royals, entered the current Ranji Trophy season in strong shape. The Ranji Trophy is India's main domestic first-class tournament. Tanush had an outstanding season as well during Mumbai's winning Ranji Trophy campaign the previous year. With the bat and the ball, he was unstoppable, taking 29 wickets and amassing over 500 runs. The 25-year-old was chosen as the series' Player of the Year.

Sarfaraz Khan Missed Ranji Trophy:

For the forthcoming Ranji season, Ajinkya Rahane, who most recently guided Mumbai to Irani Cup victory, will retain his position as captain. In the Irani Cup, the veteran batter stunned the rest of India with a magnificent knock of 97 runs in the opening innings. He will be looking to maintain the momentum and challenge for a spot in the Indian squad for the next Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Sarfaraz's service would be missed in this regard. Mumbai was able to win the Irani Cup because of the spectacular hitting performance of 222 runs from the player. Mumbai's middle order could suffer without him because he has been a formidable force in the format. Because of a neck injury, his brother Musheer Khan will also miss the first two games. Notably, a Test series between India and New Zealand will begin on October 16.

Shardul Thakur, an all-rounder, kept his spot in the team as well. Similar to Rahane, he too has the chance to win a spot in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by impressing the national selectors. Young player Angkrish Raghuvanshi of the Kolkata Knight Riders has also joined the squad for the first time. The group also includes the usual suspects, Siddhessh Lad, Prithvi Shaw, Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, and Juned Khan.

Mumbai Squad For First Two Ranji Trophy Matches:

Ajinkya Rahane (c), Prithvi Shaw, Ayush Mhatre, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Shreyas Iyer, Siddhessh Lad, Suryansh Shedge, Hardik Tamore (wk), Sidhaant Addhatrao (wk), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Himanshu Singh, Shardul Thakur, Mohit Avasthi, Mohammad Juned Khan, Royston Dias.

Mumbai squad selected for first two matches of Ranji Trophy against Baroda from 11th to 14th October 2024 and against Maharashtra from 18th to 21st October 2024. #RanjiTrophy #Cricket #IndianCricket #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/UuBeu0Uqdc

— Rajesh Khilare (@Cricrajeshpk) October 7, 2024

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