Mumbai, 08 October (H.S.): A young and spirited Mumbai side, led by captain Siddhesh Lad and vice-captain Ayush Mhatre, will begin its Ranji Trophy 2026-27 campaign against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, with the record 43rd Ranji Trophy title firmly in its sights.

At a press conference organised by the Mumbai Cricket Association at the Wankhede Stadium, Lad and Mhatre spoke about the team’s preparations, strategy and ambitions for the upcoming red-ball season. Captain Lad stressed the responsibility of carrying forward Mumbai’s rich cricketing legacy, while acknowledging the expectations that come with representing one of the most successful domestic teams in Indian cricket.

“Given Mumbai’s rich history, the 42 Ranji Trophy titles we have won and the legacy of the players who have represented this team, there will always be pressure when you wear the Mumbai jersey. But as a team, rather than running away from that pressure, we want to embrace it. We understand the history and culture that come with representing Mumbai and are looking forward to the season,” Lad said.

Newly appointed vice-captain Mhatre spoke about the responsibility of taking on a leadership role and his experience of working alongside senior players.

“Being appointed vice-captain of Mumbai is a huge responsibility and an immensely proud moment for me, especially considering the stature of the team and the importance of the Ranji Trophy to Mumbai cricket. I have received tremendous support from the team and have never felt that I was treated differently because of my age. Siddhesh Lad has supported me immensely and has always made me feel comfortable within the team,” Mhatre said.

Mhatre also spoke about the importance of remaining composed on the field. “I have also learnt the importance of staying calm on the field. We have always seen Mahendra Singh Dhoni remain composed, and I learnt from him that anger may last for five minutes, but decisions taken in anger can often turn out to be wrong. Once you calm down, you are able to think better. I have tried to adopt that approach, remain composed on the field and make better decisions for myself and the team,” he said.

Mumbai’s 16-member squad features a blend of seasoned domestic campaigners and emerging young talent. The presence of players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan and Musheer Khan adds further depth and experience to the side. Mumbai will enter the season aiming to secure a record 43rd Ranji Trophy title.

Captain Lad brings extensive first-class experience to the side and has accumulated more than 5,600 runs in his domestic career. He was a key member of Mumbai’s middle order during the 2025-26 season, providing stability in pressure situations.

Nineteen-year-old opening batter Ayush Mhatre, meanwhile, has been making rapid progress in domestic cricket. He has scored 660 runs in 13 first-class matches. After being sidelined by a hamstring injury earlier this year, he has returned to action, and his composure at the top of the order will be important to Mumbai’s batting plans.

Mumbai squad for the opening Ranji Trophy 2026-27 match: Siddhesh Lad (captain), Ayush Mhatre (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Divyansh Saxena, Musheer Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Suved Parkar, Akash Anand (wicketkeeper), Hardik Tamore (wicketkeeper), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Atharva Ankolekar, Tushar Deshpande, Mohit Avasthi, Silvester D’Souza and Omkar Tarmale.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar