Cricket

Shreyas Iyer, the in-form batter, has been appointed as the captain of the 17-member Mumbai squad for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scheduled from November 23 to December 15. The squad also includes Prithvi Shaw, who has been recalled after being dropped from the Ranji Trophy side due to fitness and discipline issues.Iyer has been in exceptional form this Ranji Trophy season, amassing 452 runs at an impressive average of 90.40, including two centuries. His blistering 233 against Odisha and 142 against Maharashtra were instrumental in Mumbai's consecutive victories.The inclusion of Shaw is a significant development, as the 25-year-old opener has been in prolific form in domestic cricket. He has scored 332 runs in four innings in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, including a century and two half-centuries.Other notable inclusions in the Mumbai squad include Ajinkya Rahane, who has been captaining the team in the Ranji Trophy, and Siddhesh Lad, who has also been among the runs this season. Spin bowling all-rounder Tanush Kotian, who recently represented India A in unofficial Tests in Australia, has also been selected.Veteran all-rounder Shardul Thakur, who has been a regular member of the Indian team in recent years, will add experience and depth to the Mumbai side. The squad also features promising young players such as Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Jay Bista, and Suryansh Shedge.Mumbai will be aiming to make a strong impact in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which is a domestic Twenty20 tournament. The team has a balanced squad with a mix of experience and youth, and will be hoping to challenge for the title.

Mumbai's women's cricket team showcased their dominance in the Senior Women's T20 Trophy, crushing Bengal by a commanding 10 wickets in the final held at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The victory marked a resounding triumph for the Mumbai side, who displayed an all-round performance that left their opponents trailing in their wake.Bengal's batting lineup struggled to find their footing against Mumbai's formidable bowling attack. Dhara Gujjar's valiant effort of 26 runs off 38 balls proved to be a solitary bright spot for the Bengal team. Mumbai's Jagravi Pawar emerged as the star of the show, claiming an impressive 3/13 from her four overs, while Soumya Singh chipped in with 2/11. Sayali Satghare and Fatima Jaffer also contributed with one wicket each.The Mumbai batters, in contrast, made light work of the Bengal bowling attack. Humaira Kaazi led the charge with an unbeaten 41 off 36 balls, including five fours and a six. Vrushali Bhagat provided solid support, scoring an unbeaten 45 off 39 balls with six fours. The Mumbai duo's clinical batting performance ensured that they chased down the meager target of 86 runs in just 12.3 overs without losing a single wicket.Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) president Ajinkya Naik hailed the team's triumph, announcing that the organization would match the BCCI's prize money of Rs 40 lakh. "This win inspires every young women cricketer in Mumbai to dream big and strive for excellence," Naik said in a statement.

Siddhesh Lad's return to the Mumbai cricket team has been a resounding success, culminating in a match-winning century against Odisha in the Ranji Trophy. After a brief stint as a regional broadcaster, Lad was forced to reconsider his retirement due to Mumbai's need for experience in the middle order.Lad's second-innings fifty on a turning track in Vadodara against Baroda hinted at his continued reliability as Mumbai's "crisis man," a title he earned with his numerous rescue acts in the past. However, Lad's aspirations extend beyond individual accolades to another Mumbai title."I just want to keep enjoying for as long as possible and help Mumbai win another Ranji title," said Lad. "Mumbai regained the Ranji Trophy last season, now I want to be a part of a winning squad again."Lad's return has been a testament to the support and encouragement he received from head coach Omkar Salvi and the rest of the support staff. Despite initially feeling demotivated, Lad was pushed to the hilt and is now grateful for the opportunity to make a difference.Lad's resurgence is a reminder of the importance of experience and resilience in cricket. His ability to adapt to different conditions and perform under pressure is a valuable asset to any team. As Mumbai continues its quest for another Ranji Trophy title, Lad's contributions will be crucial.

Domestic Cricket Thrills: Patidar's Century, Delhi's Dominance, and Mumbai's DrawThe Ranji Trophy, India's premier domestic cricket tournament, has witnessed a thrilling week of action. Madhya Pradesh's Rajat Patidar stole the show with a lightning-fast century, while Delhi and Baroda registered emphatic victories. Defending champions Mumbai, however, were held to a draw by Tripura.Patidar's Blazing CenturyMadhya Pradesh batter Rajat Patidar set the stage alight with a blistering century against Haryana. He reached the three-figure mark in just 68 balls, becoming the fifth-fastest centurion in Ranji Trophy history. Patidar's innings helped Madhya Pradesh post a formidable total, but Haryana fought back to earn a hard-fought draw.Delhi's Dominant WinDelhi secured their first outright victory of the season with a comprehensive 10-wicket triumph over Assam. Openers Sanat Sangwan and Gagan Vats chased down the target of 59 runs without losing a wicket, securing a bonus point for their team.Mumbai Held to DrawMumbai, the defending champions, were held to a draw by Tripura after taking a first-innings lead. Tripura's Bikramkumar Das and Jiwanjot Singh played unbeaten knocks to guide their team to safety.Baroda's Innings VictoryBaroda skipper Krunal Pandya led from the front with a century, while Shivalik Sharma and Vishnu Solanki also made significant contributions. Their efforts helped Baroda secure an innings and 98-run victory over Odisha.Other Match ResultsIn other matches, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Baroda, Karnataka, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Jammu & Kashmir, Chandigarh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Railways, and Vidarbha emerged victorious. Punjab and Uttar Pradesh played out a draw, while Bengal and Kerala's match was unfinished.

Prithvi Shaw's recent struggles have taken a significant turn as he has been dropped from the Mumbai squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches. The decision stems from concerns over his discipline and fitness, which have reportedly upset the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) and its selection committee.Shaw's inconsistent attendance at net sessions, even after early dismissals, has raised eyebrows. His lax attitude towards fitness has also become a concern for the team management. These factors have prompted the selectors to take a tough stance, resulting in Shaw's omission from the squad.The selection committee, led by Sanjay Patil, announced the Mumbai squad without Shaw's name. It is believed that Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane played a role in the decision, as he was reportedly against Shaw's selection.In response to the news, Shaw took to Instagram and posted a sarcastic message: "Needed a break thanks." The MCA released a statement confirming the squad selection but did not provide any explanation for Shaw's absence.While Shaw's appearances in net sessions have been sporadic, veteran players like Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, and Shardul Thakur have been working diligently to regain top form. Mumbai will face Tripura in their next Ranji Trophy match on October 26 at the MBB Stadium in Agartala.The Mumbai squad for the match includes:* Ajinkya Rahane (Captain)* Ayush Mhatre* Angkrish Raghuvanshi* Akhil Herwadkar* Shreyas Iyer* Siddhessh Lad* Suryansh Shedge* Hardik Tamore (WK)* Sidhaant Addhatrao (WK)* Shams Mulani* Karsh Kothari* Himanshu Singh* Shardul Thakur* Mohit Avasthi* Mohd. Juned Khan* Royston DiasShaw's omission from the squad serves as a reminder of the importance of discipline and fitness in professional sports. It remains to be seen whether he can address these concerns and regain his place in the team.

Mumbai's formidable all-rounder duo, Tanush Kotian and Shams Mulani, have been instrumental in the team's recent Ranji Trophy success. However, their partnership will be temporarily broken as Kotian prepares to join the India A squad for their tour of Australia.Mulani, the senior partner, expressed his admiration for Kotian's batting abilities, stating that he will miss him more as a batter than a bowler. "We have been bowling together and doing well together, but with the replacements we have, I am sure Himanshu (Singh) and I can also deliver in tandem," Mulani said.The Mumbai team recently secured a nine-wicket victory against Maharashtra, a crucial win after a disappointing loss to Baroda. Mulani emphasized the importance of bouncing back from the setback. "We reflected pretty hard on the loss. We went through the video footage extensively. Some people took responsibility for the loss. It feels nice for our side when the seniors club in and the others raise take responsibility. It feels nice with the way we bounced back on the first morning here that set the game up for us," he said.Kotian's departure for Australia presents an opportunity for other players to step up and fill his void. Himanshu Singh is expected to take over Kotian's role as the team's primary all-rounder. Singh has shown promise in the past, and Mulani is confident in his ability to contribute to the team's success.Despite the temporary separation, Mulani remains optimistic about the team's prospects. "All the best to Tanush, it's a huge opportunity to represent India A. I will not miss him that much (with the ball) but definitely will miss him as a batter," he said.

Mumbai's dominance continued on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy clash against arch-rivals Maharashtra at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy in Bandra-Kurla Complex. The defending champions, led by a clinical bowling performance and a stellar century from Ayush Mhatre, took a firm grip on the contest.The Mumbai bowlers, led by Shardul Thakur, Mohit Avasthi, and Royston Dias, wreaked havoc on the Maharashtra batting lineup. Thakur's early dismissal of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sachin Dhas set the tone for the day, while Avasthi's three-wicket haul, including the crucial scalp of Ankeet Bawane, further dented Maharashtra's hopes. Shams Mulani wrapped up the innings with a quickfire three-wicket burst, dismissing Hitesh Walunj, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, and Pradeep Dadhe in quick succession.Maharashtra's meager total of 126 was chased down with ease by Mumbai. Prithvi Shaw and Hardik Tamore fell cheaply, but Mhatre, the 19-year-old opener, played a magnificent innings to guide his team to victory. He scored an unbeaten 127, hitting 17 fours and 3 sixes, and shared crucial partnerships with Ajinkya Rahane (99) and Shreyas Iyer (45*).Mhatre's century was a testament to his talent and composure. He played with maturity beyond his years, driving the Maharashtra bowlers with panache and punishing any loose deliveries. His innings was a major factor in Mumbai's dominant performance on the opening day.With a lead of 94 runs, Mumbai is in a commanding position heading into the second day. Maharashtra will need to produce a much-improved performance with the bat to stay in contention.

Mumbai all-rounder Musheer Khan, the younger brother of India batter Sarfaraz Khan, has suffered a major setback after being involved in a road accident on the outskirts of Lucknow. The 19-year-old sustained neck injuries in the accident and is expected to be out of action for at least three months, ruling him out of the upcoming Irani Cup and the start of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season.Musheer was traveling from his hometown Azamgarh to Lucknow for the Irani Cup, which begins on October 1, when his car hit a divider and overturned on the Purvanchal Expressway. His father, Naushad Khan, who was also in the car, suffered minor scratches.Musheer was rushed to Medanta Hospital in Lucknow, where he is currently undergoing treatment. Dr. Bhola Singh, Medical Superintendent at the hospital, said that the cricketer is out of danger and his condition is stable."Cricketer Musheer Khan, injured in a road accident on the Purvanchal Expressway, was brought to the emergency department of Medanta Hospital due to pain in his neck. His treatment is being conducted under the supervision of Dr. Dharmendra Singh, Director of the Department of Orthopedics," Dr. Singh said in a statement."His condition is stable and he is out of danger," he added.The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) said that Musheer is currently "stable, conscious, and well-oriented.""He has sustained a fracture in the neck region and is under close observation. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) medical teams are closely monitoring his progress to ensure he receives the best possible care," the MCA said."Once Musheer is deemed medically fit for travel, he will be flown to Mumbai for further evaluation and additional medical treatment. The timeline for his recovery will be determined following these assessments."The accident is a major blow for Musheer, who has emerged as a promising all-rounder in recent times. He has already scored three centuries and a half-century in nine First-Class games, including a double hundred in last season's Ranji Trophy quarter-final and a match-winning century in the final against Vidarbha.He had also begun the 2024-25 domestic season with a hundred in the Duleep Trophy for India B against India A in Bengaluru recently.Reigning Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai are slated to take on Rest of India in the Irani Cup match at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow from October 1-5. After the Irani game, Mumbai will begin their Ranji campaign on October 11 against Baroda.

Mumbai's promising young cricketer, Musheer Khan, has suffered a setback after sustaining a fracture in a road accident in Uttar Pradesh. The 19-year-old was traveling with his father and coach, Naushad Khan, from Kanpur to Lucknow for the Irani Cup tie when the incident occurred.Musheer's injury is a significant blow to Mumbai, as he was expected to play a key role in the Irani Cup match against Rest of India from October 1-5. He will also miss the initial rounds of the Ranji Trophy, which begin on October 11.The talented left-arm spinner and batsman has been in impressive form this season, scoring 716 runs in nine matches at an average of 51.14, including three centuries and one fifty. He also took eight wickets at an average of 26.87.Musheer's performances have caught the attention of selectors, and he was set to be picked for India A's shadow tour of Australia this winter. However, his injury now casts doubt on his availability for the tour.The Mumbai Cricket Association has not yet commented on the accident, but selectors are expected to name a replacement for Musheer in the Irani Cup squad.Musheer's younger brother, Sarfaraz Khan, is a Test batsman for India. Musheer had a productive under-19 World Cup and made a magnificent 181 on his Duleep Trophy debut earlier this month for India B against India A at Bengaluru.The extent of Musheer's injury and the duration of his recovery are not yet known. However, the accident is a reminder of the risks that young athletes face while traveling for competitions.