Will Thakur and Jaiswal Rejuvenate Mumbai's Squad for the Ranji Trophy QF Against Karnataka?
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Key Takeaways
New Delhi, Feb 2 (NationPress) Seam-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur is set to reclaim his role as captain for Mumbai in their upcoming Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Karnataka, commencing on February 6 at the MCA-BKC Ground in Mumbai.
Thakur's comeback follows his recovery from a calf injury sustained during the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He was observed practicing in the nets at the venue, where Mumbai recently concluded their final league match against Delhi with a draw. He will assume captaincy from stand-in skipper Siddhesh Lad.
Also making a return is left-handed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is poised to compete in his first Ranji Trophy match since the prestigious first-class season resumed. Jaiswal last participated in a Ranji Trophy game for Mumbai against Rajasthan in Jaipur back in November 2025, where he notably scored 67 and 156.
Mumbai, a record 42-time Ranji Trophy champion, is optimistic that the return of these key players will bolster their chances against Karnataka, an eight-time champion team featuring players like Devdutt Padikkal, Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, and Prasidh Krishna. Mumbai finished the group stage atop the Elite Group D standings with 33 points.
In their last league fixture against Delhi, players had to wear masks due to pollution from nearby construction. It's understood that protective sheets will be implemented on construction sites during the quarterfinal.
Other quarterfinal matches in the Ranji Trophy include Jharkhand vs. Uttarakhand at Keenan Stadium in Jamshedpur, Madhya Pradesh vs. Jammu & Kashmir at Holkar Stadium in Indore, and Bengal vs. Andhra at Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani.
Mumbai squad: Shardul Thakur (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Musheer Khan, Akhil Herwadkar, Siddesh Lad, Sarfaraz Khan, Aakash Anand (WK), Hardik Tamore (WK), Sairaj Patil, Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande, Mohit Awasthi, Omkar Tarmale, Divyesh Saxena, and Suryansh Shedge.