Mhatre appointed Mumbai vice-captain, cold shoulder for Suryakumar

Promising opener Ayush Mhatre has been handed a leadership role for the new Ranji Trophy season, being appointed vice-captain to the experienced Siddhesh Lad, while former captain Suryakumar Yadav has been left out of the squad for the season-opener against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium from October 11.

Mhatre, who led India Under-19 to the World Cup title, has been earmarked for a larger role as Mumbai look to blend experience with youth. Chief selector Rajesh Pawar said the teenager’s form and cricketing acumen made him an obvious choice.

“The selection committee unanimously has gone with experienced Siddhesh Lad as the captain for the season. Along with a senior, we have planned to groom a junior in Ayush Mhatre as the vice-captain. He has led India U-19 to the World Cup win, is a smart cricketer and is in excellent nick,” Pawar said after an hour-long meeting, also attended by captain Lad, head coach Omkar Salvi and cricket advisor Dilip Vengsarkar.

Suryakumar, India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain, had made himself available for selection but has not been considered for the opening fixture as Mumbai prioritise giving their younger players an opportunity and want the India T20I captain to regain his red-ball rhythm first.

“Surya is available but it was thought to go with the youngsters for the time being. He is obviously a big-match player and a proven performer for Mumbai. We just want to get into rhythm by playing a few red-ball matches,” Pawar said.

“Suryakumar hasn’t played a red-ball match for the last 18 months, so we want him to have a few games under his belt and then he can get into the team.”

Mumbai will also have to do without Shardul Thakur, who led them last season. The lead pacer has suffered a slight fracture to his right middle finger during a training session and is expected to miss at least the first two matches.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, however, will feature in the opener, with Pawar welcoming the India batter’s availability. “It is very good that Yashasvi is playing the season-opener. He also needs game-time and the team will also benefit,” he said.

The squad: Siddhesh Lad (Capt.), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ayush Mhatre (Vice-capt.), Divyaansh Saxena, Musheer Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Suved Parkar, Aakash Anand (wk), Hardik Tamore (wk), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Atharva Ankolekar, Tushar Deshpande, Mohit Avasthi, Sylvester Dsouza, Onkar Tarmale.