RANJI TROPHY | Depleted Delhi faces enormous task against fabled rival Mumbai

It has traditionally been one of the most keenly awaited fixtures in the domestic cricket calendar. Old-timers still reminisce about the fierce rivalry between Mumbai (erstwhile Bombay) and Delhi in the Ranji Trophy. When the marquee clash returns on Thursday after a three-year gap, it is likely to be one of the most subdued encounters between the two sides.

Mumbai, the more consistent outfit this season, has already secured qualification for the quarterfinals from Group D. Delhi, on the other hand, is out of contention after a season marked by constant chopping and changing in selection.

With little at stake from a team perspective, Delhi had hoped that Ayush Badoni — recently called up to India’s ODI squad — and Priyansh Arya, one of the finds of IPL 2025, would rekindle memories of the old rivalry by posing a stiff challenge to the in-form host.

Those plans were scuppered on Wednesday morning when the national selectors informed the Delhi team management that both Badoni and Arya had been included in India A’s squad for warm-up matches ahead of the T20 World Cup, forcing their withdrawal from the Ranji fixture.

As a result, Ayush Doseja, Delhi’s leading run-scorer in his maiden Ranji season, has been handed the captaincy. While Doseja struck a defiant note by insisting that “there are no stalwarts once you enter the field”, even he would be aware of the enormity of the task facing Delhi over the next four days at the MCA’s Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy ground.

Mulani is back

Mumbai, meanwhile, will view the match as an opportunity to fine-tune combinations ahead of the knockouts. The return of Shams Mulani, who missed last week’s game in Hyderabad due to a bladder infection, and Sarfaraz Khan’s rediscovered run-scoring touch augur well for the hosts. With Tanush Kotian and Shardul Thakur still sidelined with shoulder and groin injuries respectively, stand-in captain Siddhesh Lad may also use the occasion to test the bench strength.

While the contest may lack the edge of yesteryear, Mumbai and Delhi’s storied rivalry ensures that there is still pride at stake.