All-rounder Shivam Dube has been withdrawn from Mumbai’s squad for their Ranji Trophy opener against Jammu & Kashmir after reporting back stiffness in training. He returned to Mumbai from Srinagar on Tuesday evening. Team management insist the decision is precautionary, mindful that Dube is due to travel with India’s T20 side to Australia on 23 October.
“It’s a long season and Shivam has international duties coming up. We’d rather give him a week off now than a month off later,” a senior Mumbai support-staff member said.
Dube’s absence is a blow. The left-hander enjoyed a prolific Asia Cup in September, contributing key overs with the new ball and a brisk 33 off 22 deliveries in the final against Pakistan. Captain Suryakumar Yadav used him regularly as a sixth bowling option, and national selectors regard him as vital cover for the still-recovering Hardik Pandya.
While Dube rests, Mumbai welcome back two familiar faces. Nineteen-year-old all-rounder Musheer Khan has recovered from the neck and collar-bone injuries sustained in a road accident last November. Elder brother Sarfaraz Khan is also fit again after the quadriceps strain that kept him out of India’s recent Test series against West Indies.
Shardul Thakur will lead Mumbai this season, taking over from Ajinkya Rahane. The former India vice-captain remains in the squad and, by all accounts, is eager for another tilt at the title. “I even carried my trainers and kit to the UK,” Rahane said on a Sky Sports podcast while working as a television pundit during India’s Test tour. “Domestic cricket still matters to me.”
Mumbai finished runners-up last season and have been placed in Group D with J&K, Hyderabad, Delhi, Puducherry, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The trip to Jammu has an added edge: J&K beat Mumbai by five wickets at Bandra Kurla Complex in last year’s league phase.
Thakur acknowledged that defeat earlier this week. “Last season’s result hurt, but it also reminded us that every team can compete if we’re off our game,” he said. With Dube sidelined, Mumbai’s balance changes slightly, yet the presence of Thakur, the returning Khans and a deep bowling unit still makes them formidable.
Mumbai fly to Jammu on Thursday morning. Dube will continue rehabilitation under the franchise’s medical staff, with a decision on his availability for the second round to be taken after further assessment.
