The Mumbai side has made an interesting appointment to their senior team ahead of the new Ranji Trophy season, appointing 19-year-old Ayush Mhatre vice-captain.
The teen is one of the most unambiguous signs yet that Mumbai are getting ready for their leadership of the young guns of the future. Mhatre has only 13 first-class matches to his name but his stint as captain of the Indian Under-19 World Cup winning team has added weight to his name in the domestic ranks.
Siddhesh Lad shall continue to lead the Mumbai team when they take on the challenge of the Chandigarh side at the Wankhede Stadium on October 11th. But it’s Mhatre’s appointment that has added a new leader to the team who may assume more leadership over time.
The selection has been made in a squad which has some players that can build the future of Mumbai. Yashasvi Jaiswal has also been made available for the opener and along with established domestic players like Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian, Musheer Khan has also been included.
The name of Suryakumar Yadav is one of the biggest ones that’s not there. His absence is not due to him not being available: the batter had let out the Mumbai selectors that he was ready.
With extended first-class cricketer breaks the selectors decided to exclude him. Suryakumar, who is yet to play red-ball cricket in nearly 18 months, is eager to get his hands dirty before heading back to the Mumbai combination.
The choice has ruled out ‘big guns’ for Mumbai’s first 11. The selectors seem to be making a decision on recent red-ball preparation, reputation and also providing younger players chances to assume more responsibility.
The choices have also been changed due to injuries and the commitments of the nation. Shardul Thakur will likely miss the first part of the campaign as he suffered a fractured right middle finger while Suryansh Shedge has been in Puducherry with India A for the one-day series.
So, the opening match is more than just the beginning of a new domestic season for Mumbai. It’s a preview of the state side’s approach to dealing with proven performers and the players who may be key to the future.
Perhaps the strongest indication of this is Mhatre’s vice-captaincy. He is in the age group where lots of players are just trying to find their feet in first class cricket, and yet he is already in the Mumbai leadership pantheon.
