Photo via The Hindu

Mhatre appointed Mumbai vice-captain, cold shoulder for Suryakumar

Mumbai Cricket Association has made a bold leadership move ahead of the Ranji Trophy season, naming Ayush Mhatre as the team’s vice-captain for the upcoming campaign. The 19-year-old opener, who led India Under-19 to a World Cup title, will now share responsibility with experienced skipper Siddhesh Lad, marking a deliberate push to blend youth with seasoned guidance.

Meanwhile, former Mumbai captain Suryakumar Yadav—who also captained India to a T20 World Cup victory—has been excluded from the squad for the season-opener against Chandigarh, set for October 11 at Wankhede Stadium. The decision reflects Mumbai’s strategy to prioritize red-ball match rhythm for Suryakumar, who has not played first-class cricket in 18 months, while giving younger players like Mhatre and Yashasvi Jaiswal greater opportunities to step up in high-pressure games.

The squad also faces a setback with lead pacer Shardul Thakur sidelined for at least two matches due to a finger injury sustained during training, though Jaiswal’s inclusion adds depth to the batting lineup for the opener.

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