Irani Cup 2024: Ajinkya Rahane to lead Mumbai, Shreyas Iyer and Shardul Thakur set to feature. (Source – Getty Images)
Although the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) hasn’t yet announced the entire squad Mumbai’s clash against Rest of India in the Irani Cup 2024, it is set that India cricketers, Shreyas Iyer and Shardul Thakur, will represent the reigning Ranji champions.
The fixture will be played in Lucknow from October 1 to 5, 2024. The former India skipper Ajinkya Rahane will be leading Mumbai, as per a report by Cricbuzz. Notably, Rahane also led Mumbai to their record-extending 42nd Ranji Trophy title with the 2023-24 season, where they beat Vidarbha in the finals.
Iyer, meanwhile, will be taking this opportunity provided to him as a platform to find himself back in the Indian team. He was recently not considered for selection for the ongoing series against Bangladesh. Iyer, who led India D in the recently-concluded edition of the Duleep Trophy, will be hoping to grasp the opportunity provided to him with both hands.
He last played for India in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. However, he encountered a lean patch then. The Mumbai-born will be keen on making the most out of this opportunity, which could quite possibly open the doors for him being in the scheme of things for the India’s upcoming fixtures.
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As for Thakur, Mumbai will receive an increase in elevation with the all-rounder coming back to the squad after being sidelined since June due to having sustained an ankle injury. A top MCA official has also disclosed, that Thakur himself had let them know of his availability.
MCA expected to announce squad on Tuesday
The entire squad hasn’t been announced by the MCA yet. It is poised to feature quite a few seasoned campaigners of Mumbai in addition to the regulars, with the entire roster slated to be announced Tuesday, September 24. Vice-captain Shams Mulani, and all-rounders Tanush Kotian and Musheer Khan are among the stars expected to grace the trophy event.
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Mumbai last featured in the five-day event during the 2015-16 season and ended, and the domestic giants will be hoping to reclaim their hands on the silverware, which has eluded them since the 1997-98 season.