Sarfaraz Khan named captain of a new team in India

Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has named Team India Test batsman Sarfaraz Khan as Mumbai's captain for the All India Buchi Babu Invitation Cricket Tournament. Ajinkya Rahane and Prithvi Shaw will not play in the event, while Sarfaraz’s brother, Musheer Khan, has been included in the Mumbai team.

The domestic tournament began in 1909 in memory of Mothavarapu Venkata Mahipathi Naidu, known as Buchi Babu Naidu. Buchi Babu played a key role in popularizing cricket in Madras and planned a match between local players and Englishmen. He passed away in 1908 before the first tournament could start.

The Buchi Babu cricket tournament became invitational in the 1960s, with the TNCA organizing teams from outside Tamil Nadu. Prominent cricketers played for various teams like the State Bank of India and ACC in the competition. Over time, the tournament served as a key start to India's domestic cricket season.

Sarfaraz Khan To Lead Mumbai In All India Buchi Babu Invitation Cricket Tournament

On Saturday, August 3, the Mumbai Cricket Association released a statement on their official website. The statement mentioned that the Senior Selection Committee, led by Chairman Sanjay Patil, has picked the players for Mumbai's team in the Buchi Babu Tournament.

"The Senior Selection Committee of Mumbai Cricket Association consisting of Mr. Sanjay Patil (Chairman), Mr. Ravi Thaker, Mr. Jeetendra Thackeray, Mr. Kiran Powar, and Mr. Vikrant Yeligeti has selected following players to represent Mumbai in Buchi Babu Tournament," the statement read.

Mumbai Squad: Sarfaraz Khan (Captain), Divyansh Saxena, Amogh Bhatkal, Akhil Herwadkar, Siddhesh Lad, Musheer Khan, Nutan Goel, Suryansh Shedge, Hardik Tamore, Prasad Pawar, Tanush Kotian, Atharva Ankolekar, Himanshu Singh, Dhanit Raut, Sylvester Dsouza, Junaid Khan, Harsh Tanna

Mumbai will miss key players in the season-opening tournament. Ajinkya Rahane, who captained Mumbai to their 42nd Ranji Trophy title last season, is currently playing for Leicestershire in England.

Prithvi Shaw is representing Northamptonshire in England. Left-arm spin bowler Shams Mulani, who was Rahane’s deputy last season, is training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.

Sarfaraz Khan Is The Senior-Most Player - Sanjay Patil

Sanjay Patil stated that Ajinkya Rahane would be the captain if available. Patil added that Sarfaraz Khan was named captain in Rahane's absence. Patil also confirmed that Rahane will return to lead Mumbai in the Irani Cup against the Rest of India on October 1.

“There is no question of who will be captain if Ajinkya is available, but in his absence, we should be ready with options and currently Sarfaraz is the senior-most and a Test player,” Patil told Sunday mid-day.

The Mumbai team recently completed a two-week preparation camp in Alur, near Bengaluru. The team had played several practice matches. Meanwhile, rain and poor ground conditions forced the postponement of the inaugural Division A to D Dr HD Kanga Cricket League games, scheduled to be held today.

Also read: Virat Kohli eyes breaking Sachin Tendulkar's 18-year-old record during IND vs SL 2nd ODI