Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube set to defy BCCI’s Diktat to play domestic cricket

India T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav and all-rounder Shivam Dube will skip the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2025-26 clash ahead of the T20I series against South Africa. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has allowed both players to miss the Ranji Trophy match to prepare for the T20I series against the Proteas.

Suryakumar was last seen in action during the five-match T20I series against Australia. The visiting team secured a 2-1 T20I series win in Australia. Surya scored 84 runs in four innings at a decent average of 28.00 and a strike rate of 171.43. Dube scored just 26 runs in two innings and took three wickets with the ball.

Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube to Skip Mumbai’s Next Ranji Trophy Game

According to the Indian Express, Suryakumar Yadav has opted out of Mumbai’s upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Pondicherry. Suryakumar decided to focus on his white-ball preparations ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

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The Indian T20I captain has informed the Mumbai Cricket Association of his decision and confirmed his availability for upcoming limited-overs fixtures.

The MCA has also approved a similar request from Shivam Dube, allowing him to skip the same Ranji fixture. Dube wants to dedicate his time to preparing for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had made it clear that centrally contracted players must play domestic cricket when they have no commitments with the India national cricket team.

Tanush Kotian and Mohit Awasthi Picked for Mumbai’s Next Ranji Trophy Game

The report added that the Mumbai Cricket Association has agreed to Suryakumar Yadav’s request to miss the upcoming Ranji Trophy match. He has assured the association that he will be available for both the Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare Trophy tournaments.

Shivam Dube has also been granted permission to skip the fixture. Mumbai have added Tanush Kotian and Mohit Awasthi to the squad for the next Ranji game.

“Suryakumar Yadav has informed MCA that he won’t be available and we have accepted his request as we feel that with the T20 World Cup around the corner he should concentrate more on it. He has informed us that he will be available for Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare Trophy,” a source in the MCA confirmed.

"As far as Dube is concerned, there is an upcoming T20I series against South Africa so he can prepare for the same. The selectors have picked Tanush Kotian and Mohit Awasthi for Mumbai’s next Ranji Trophy game."

India to Take On South Africa in Five-Match T20I Series in December

The upcoming match will be the last round of the first leg of the ongoing Ranji Trophy, with the second leg set to resume on January 22. India will take on South Africa in a five-match T20I series beginning on December 9 in Cuttack and concluding on December 19 in Ahmedabad.

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is scheduled to start on November 26, followed by the Vijay Hazare Trophy from December 24. Indian players have a busy schedule with domestic and international duties.

Suryakumar Yadav last played for Mumbai earlier this year in the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Vidarbha, as his ongoing international commitments have kept him away from red-ball cricket since the start of the domestic season.

Also read: Hardik Pandya set to return to domestic cricket ahead of South Africa series