In a move that deviates from the conventional approach, the Mumbai selection committee has announced a list of 25 probables for the upcoming Ranji Trophy season, as they aim to defend their title. This decision is driven by the committee’s commitment to rewarding strong performances in local tournaments.
Sanjay Patil, the chairman of the selection panel, explained to Sportstar, “We have left the five probables slots open. We shall keep adding names to the pool of probables as the local season progresses.” He emphasized that this decision was made unanimously after consulting with the CIC chief Raju Kulkarni, mentor Milind Rege, and other officials.
The committee has made it clear that active participation in local tournaments is crucial for players vying for a place on the Mumbai team. The official announcement, signed by secretary Abhay Hadap, states, “All the players are advised to play in MCA tournaments in order to be considered for selection in the Mumbai team.”
Notably absent from the list are Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, who share captaincy duties in international cricket. Recognizing India’s demanding international schedule, the duo has been given the flexibility to join the Ranji Trophy squad whenever their commitments allow.
Another notable exclusion is Tushar Deshpande, who recently underwent surgery on his left ankle. Deshpande is expected to go under the knife on September 30th in London. His return to the field will be assessed once he begins his rehabilitation program.
The 25 probables selected include: Ajinkya Rahane, Prithvi Shaw, Ayush Mhatre, Musheer Khan, Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Siddhesh Lad, Suryansh Shedge, Hardik Tamore (wk), Sidhhant Adhatrao (wk), Shardul Thakur, Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Himanshu Singh, Mohit Avasthi, Junaid Khan, Royston Dias, Harsh Tanna, Prasad Pawar (wk), Shashank Attarde, Karsh Kothari, Atharva Ankolekar, Jay Bista, and Saksham Jha.
With five spots still up for grabs, this strategy by the Mumbai selection committee is a clear indication of their commitment to talent identification and fostering competitive spirit within the local cricketing scene. It will be fascinating to see how the final Ranji Trophy squad shapes up as the season progresses.
