Could Siddhesh Lad Lead the Maratha Royals to Victory in T20 Mumbai League?

Mumbai, May 26 (NationPress) The accomplished Siddhesh Lad is set to captain the Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals in their inaugural season of the T20 Mumbai League Season 3. A distinguished talent from Shivaji Park, Lad’s extensive knowledge of Mumbai cricket and his proven track record across various formats position him as the ideal leader for a team grounded in strong principles and local heritage.

A technically proficient and composed batsman with over a decade of professional experience, the 32-year-old Lad has participated in 74 First Class, 50 List A, and 60 T20 matches, accumulating over 4,100 runs in the Ranji Trophy—ranking him eighth in Mumbai’s all-time run-scorers. Occasionally an off-spinner, his cricketing journey includes a stint in the UK, and he recently achieved a remarkable career-high score of 169* against Odisha in the 2024–25 Ranji season. Regarded as Mumbai’s “crisis man” for his knack of stabilizing innings under pressure, Lad is set to bring that same resilience and tactical understanding to the Maratha Royals.

In addition to the captaincy, the Maratha Royals have made two roster changes, welcoming Rohan Raje and Saksham Parashar in place of icon player Tushar Deshpande—who is unavailable this season due to national duties with the India A team in England—and Arman Jaffer.

On his new role, Lad expressed, “Leading the Maratha Royals is a true honor, especially in our inaugural season. Representing Mumbai has always held significance for me, and this chance to helm a franchise deeply rooted in Shivaji Park, the starting point of my career, is immensely meaningful. We possess a strong blend of talent, and our goal is straightforward: to play intelligently, with determination, and to embody Mumbai’s spirit and pride.”

Coming from a cricketing lineage, with his father Dinesh Lad being a venerated coach and mentor to numerous Mumbai cricketers, Siddhesh was immersed in the sport from a young age, training at Shivaji Park. In just his second First Class match in 2013, Lad achieved twin fifties against Delhi and later played a pivotal role with a score of 88 in the 2015-16 final, contributing to Mumbai’s 41st Ranji title.

Commenting on Lad’s capabilities as a batsman and leader, Team Mentor Abhishek Nayar stated, “Siddhesh is a born leader. He has an excellent grasp of the game, handles pressure adeptly, and leads by example. He has successfully navigated all formats, adapted to various roles, and consistently delivered. Our aim is to cultivate players who embody the core values of Mumbai cricket: skill, resilience, and quiet confidence.”

On Lad’s leadership, Maratha Royals’ owners Kapil & Alisha Baheti remarked, “Having Siddhesh at the helm strengthens our dedication to creating something authentic. He represents all that this region stands for—resilience, excellence, and legacy. We are thrilled to have him set the tone as we embark on our inaugural season.”

With Lad leading the way, the Royals are in the final stages of preparation for their league campaign. The team is scheduled to compete in three warm-up matches against sister franchise Raigad Royals (from the Maharashtra Premier League) from May 27 to May 29, before commencing their T20 Mumbai League journey on June 4 against Aakash Tigers at the Wankhede Stadium.