Prithvi Shaw dropped from Mumbai Ranji Trophy squad. Check details

The Mumbai cricket team has announced its squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2024-25 match against Tripura, and notable changes have been made, including the exclusion of star opener Prithvi Shaw. This decision comes after Shaw's disappointing performances in the tournament's opening matches. Shaw began the 2024-25 season on a positive note, showcasing his talent during the Irani Cup. However, he struggled to maintain that form in Mumbai's first two Ranji matches. Against Baroda, he recorded scores of just 7 and 12, and his performance against Maharashtra was equally underwhelming, as he was dismissed for a mere 1 run in the first innings. Although Shaw did manage to stay unbeaten with a quick 39 runs off 36 balls during the successful run chase against Maharashtra, the team management felt it was necessary to give him a break to reassess and regain his form.

The decision to drop Shaw underscores the team's commitment to performance and consistency, especially in a highly competitive tournament like the Ranji Trophy. As Mumbai looks to solidify its position in the tournament, the focus will be on finding the right combination of players who can deliver strong results on the field. Shaw's absence may open the door for other players eager to make their mark in the team.

The last Test for the 24-year-old was the infamous 2020 Adelaide Test, where India suffered a historic collapse, bowled out for just 36 runs. He made a brief comeback during the England tour in 2021 but was ultimately dropped without making an appearance in the playing XI. Since then, the young talent has been waiting for another opportunity to prove himself in the longest format of the game.

In addition to this, the defending champions will face another setback in their upcoming clash against Tripura, as star batter Suryakumar Yadav has pulled out due to personal commitments. Yadav's absence will be felt, as he has been a key player for the team in recent tournaments. With both players unavailable, Mumbai will need to adapt their strategy and look to other team members to step up in their pursuit of success in the Ranji Trophy. The management will likely focus on finding a solid batting lineup that can deliver strong performances in the absence of these influential players, as they aim to maintain their status as defending champions.

The 34-year-old, who has only played one Test for India, has had a fluctuating presence in the national team setup for the longest format. Despite consistently strong performances in T20Is, where he now serves as captain, he has struggled to secure a spot in the Test squad. With the absence of Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav, Mumbai has added opener Akhil Herwadkar and left-arm spinner Karsh Kothari to their 16-member squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Tripura. Herwadkar last featured in the Ranji Trophy in 2022 while playing for Chhattisgarh, and Kothari's last appearance for Mumbai was back in December 2018.

Currently, Mumbai sits with six points from two matches and is eager to bounce back against Tripura to enhance their position in the Group A standings. The team is focused on capitalizing on this opportunity to regain momentum in the tournament. The forthcoming match is scheduled to take place from October 26 to 29 at the MBB Stadium in Agartala, where Mumbai will look to deliver a strong performance despite the absence of key players.

Mumbai Squad for Ranji Trophy match 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.