Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy campaign gets a massive boost ahead of their quarter-final clash with Karnataka. All-rounder Shardul Thakur, who has been sidelined by a calf injury from the Vijay Hazare Trophy, makes a triumphant return as captain. Joining him is explosive opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, marking his first red-ball appearance since last November.
The match, set to unfold from February 6 at the MCA-BKC Ground in Mumbai, pits two of India’s most decorated domestic sides against each other. Mumbai boasts an unmatched record of 42 titles, while Karnataka has lifted the trophy eight times. Thakur’s leadership and Jaiswal’s batting firepower could prove decisive in this high-stakes encounter.
Thakur was last seen bowling in the nets after a prolonged recovery period, ready to take over from stand-in skipper Siddhesh Lad. Jaiswal, meanwhile, returns after smashing 67 and 156 against Rajasthan, eager to reignite his domestic form ahead of potential international call-ups.
Karnataka arrives with a star-studded lineup, featuring captain Devdutt Padikkal, Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, and pacer Prasidh Krishna. Their experience in knockout stages makes them formidable opponents.
Recent challenges for Mumbai included wearing masks during their league game against Delhi due to nearby construction pollution. Authorities plan to cover sites with protective sheets for the quarter-final to ensure player safety.
Other quarter-finals include Jharkhand vs Uttarakhand in Jamshedpur, Madhya Pradesh vs Jammu & Kashmir in Indore, and Bengal vs Andhra in Kalyani. Mumbai’s full squad includes Thakur (c), Jaiswal, Musheer Khan, Akhil Herwadkar, Lad, Sarfaraz Khan, and more, blending youth and experience for the title chase.