Prithvi-Shaw. (Photo Source: Twitter)
The Mumbai cricket team recently announced their squad for their upcoming Ranji Trophy 2024-25 match against Tripura. The heavyweights have decided to drop star opener Prithvi Shaw after his below-par performances in the opening matches of the tournament.
Shaw, who kicked off the 2024-25 season with a solid showing in the Irani Cup, struggled to find his rhythm in Mumbai’s first two matches. He managed scores of 7 and 12 against Baroda and was dismissed for just 1 in the first innings against Maharashtra. While he did remain unbeaten on 39 off 36 balls in the successful run chase against Maharashtra, the team management has decided to give him a break.
The 24-year-old last Test for India was the infamous 2020 Adelaide Test, where the team was dismissed for their all-time low of 36. He made a comeback to the national team during the England tour in 2021 but was dropped without featuring in the playing XI. The youngster is awaiting another opportunity in the longest format ever since.
Also Read: Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Round 2, Day 4 Review
Suryakumar Yadav pulled out of the match due to personal commitments
Furthermore, the defending champions will also be without the services of their star batter Suryakumar Yadav for the Tripura clash as he has pulled out due to personal commitments.
The 34-year-old, who has played just one Test for India so far, has been in and out of the national team setup in the longer format. Despite his consistent performances in T20Is, where he also leads India now, he has struggled to find a place in the Test team.
In Shaw and Suryakumar’s absence, Mumbai have brought in opener Akhil Herwadkar and left-arm spinner Karsh Kothari into their 16-member squad. Herwadkar last played Ranji Trophy in 2022 for Chhattisgarh, while Kothari’s previous appearance for Mumbai came in December 2018.
Mumbai currently have six points from two games and will be aiming to bounce back strongly against Tripura to improve their position in the Group A standings. Their forthcoming match is scheduled to be played from October 26 to 29 at the MBB Stadium in Agartala.
Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad against Tripura
Ajinkya Rahane (capt), Ayush Mhatre, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Akhil Herwadkar, Shreyas Iyer, Siddhesh Lad, Suryansh Shedge, Hardik Tamore (wk), Siddhant Addhatrao (wk), Shams Mulani, Karsh Kothari, Himanshu Singh, Shardul Thakur, Mohit Avasthi, Mohammad Juned Khan, Royston Dias