Ranji Trophy 2024: Ajinkya Rahane Named Captain As Mumbai Announce Squad For Upcoming Season
Published - 01 Jan 2024, 04:17 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:24 AM
The senior selection committee of the Mumbai Cricket Association announced a 15-member squad for the first two matches of the upcoming Ranji Trophy. Young opener Prithvi Shaw, recovering from a knee injury, was not included in the squad for the tournament.
Prithvi Shaw, who has been sidelined for the past four months due to a knee injury sustained during county cricket with Northamptonshire, will be absent from Mumbai’s initial two fixtures. The young opener’s recovery prevents his participation in the early matches of the series.
Former India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane will continue to lead the Mumbai team for the upcoming season, marking his second consecutive season in charge. Left-arm spinner Atharva Ankolekar has earned his maiden call-up to the Mumbai Ranji squad.
Bhupen Lalwani Makes Comeback In Mumbai Team After Four Years
Ankolekar showcased his all-round capabilities in the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa in January 2020. The 23-year-old has participated in eight List A matches, securing eight wickets at an average of 31.50 and contributing 31 runs at an average of 10.33. Additionally, he has played 12 T20 matches, maintaining an average of 35.83.
Selectors have chosen not to include openers Divyansh Saxena and Angkrish Raghuvanshi in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad. Opener Bhupen Lalwani made a comeback after nearly four years, having last played a first-class match in February 2020. 24-year-old Lalwani scored 93 runs across four matches at an average of 18.60.
Bhupen Lalwani Fits The Bill – Raju Kulkarni
Chief Selector Raju Kulkarni acknowledged the team’s opening department challenge, emphasizing the necessity of a player capable of anchoring the innings. He pointed out that Bhupen Lalwani’s experience in junior-level cricket makes him a suitable fit for this role.
“We are struggling in that department. Mumbai needs somebody to stay at the wicket and Bhupen fits the bill. He has played for Mumbai at the junior level,” Kulkarni said as quoted by TOI.
The Ranji Trophy is set to have two divisions, Elite and Plate, with the Elite Division consisting of four groups of eight teams each, and the Plate Division featuring one group of six teams. The season is slated to commence on January 25 and conclude on March 14, 2024.
Mumbai have been placed in Group B alongside Bengal, Andhra, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and Bihar. Mumbai will commence its season with a match against Bihar on January 5. They will take on Andhra in the second game, starting on January 12.
Mumbai have encountered difficulties in clinching the Ranji Trophy title since their last triumph in the 2015-16 season against Saurashtra. They have a rich history of dominance in the tournament, securing a record 41 titles. No other team has won the title more than 10 times.
Mumbai Ranji Trophy Squad: Ajinkya Rahane (Captain), Jay Bista, Bhupen Lalwani, Hardik Tamore (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Suved Parkar, Prasad Pawar (WK), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande, Mohit Avasthi, Dhaval Kulkarni, Royston Dias, Atharva Ankolekar.
