Photo via Hindustan Times

Ranji Trophy: 42-time champions Mumbai are not taking any team lightly

Mumbai’s dominance in the Ranji Trophy has endured for decades, but the 42-time champions are facing a new era of fierce competition. Since Gujarat’s title-winning run in 2016-17, underdogs have repeatedly disrupted the traditional powerhouses, with Jammu & Kashmir’s unexpected victory in 2025-26 and Vidarbha’s third title in 2024-25 proving that no team can be taken for granted.

Even Saurashtra and Madhya Pradesh, both making their first appearances in the top tier in recent years, have broken through, winning trophies in 2022-23 and 2021-22 respectively. Captain Siddhesh Lad, who made his first-class debut in 2013, has witnessed this shift firsthand, noting that modern teams now boast top-tier infrastructure, off-season training, and scouting networks that rival Mumbai’s legacy.

The Mumbai side, which has won in 2015-16 and 2023-24, remains motivated by its storied history, though even its own players acknowledge the need for relentless focus. For the upcoming season, Mumbai’s selectors opted to leave out international star Suryakumar Yadav for the opener against Chandigarh, prioritizing squad depth despite his contributions to both Mumbai and India’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign.

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