Mumbai cricket authorities have confirmed the squad for their opening Ranji Trophy 2025/26 encounter against Jammu and Kashmir, with pace bowler Shardul Thakur taking the helm. The iconic Wankhede Stadium will host the match starting October 15. Veteran Ajinkya Rahane and the explosive Sarfaraz Khan are among the prominent names selected for the 16-player contingent.
The captaincy mantle now rests with Shardul Thakur, following Ajinkya Rahane’s decision to step down from the role. The squad sees the return of Sarfaraz Khan, who was sidelined with a quadriceps injury picked up during the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament in August. His brother, Musheer Khan, also makes a comeback after missing the entire previous season due to injuries sustained in a car accident. Shivam Dube is another notable inclusion, while Suryakumar Yadav has been left out.
Indian batsman Shreyas Iyer has been excluded as he takes a break from red-ball cricket to focus on recovering from a chronic back issue. This decision aims to ensure his long-term fitness. In a notable team change, Prithvi Shaw has moved from Mumbai to represent Maharashtra in the upcoming domestic season.
Mumbai’s season opener against Jammu and Kashmir is a chance for redemption, having lost to them last season in a surprising group-stage upset. Jammu and Kashmir managed to chase down 205 runs with five wickets to spare in that encounter.
Contesting in Elite Group D, Mumbai will face stiff competition from Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Hyderabad, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Pondicherry, and their opening opponents, J&K. The team aims to improve upon their semi-final finish from the previous Ranji Trophy season.