Why Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer are not included in Mumbai’s Ranji squad: Explained

Mumbai Cricket Association clarified that Suryakumar Yadav was unavailable and Shreyas Iyer took a break due to back issues, explaining their absence from the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy squad led by Shardul Thakur.

Gopi Marisetty
Gopi Marisetty

3 mins read
 Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer

Ahead of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) released a talented 16-member team for their opening match against Jammu and Kashmir, which begins on October 15 at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar. The team will be captained by all-rounder Shardul Thakur, who takes over from Ajinkya Rahane after the senior batter opted to relinquish the leadership role this season. Mumbai will hope to start the new campaign on a high as they pursue their 42nd Ranji Trophy championship.

However, two of Mumbai’s biggest names, Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer, are not part of the squad, which has left many fans surprised. The MCA has now explained the reasons behind their absence. According to MCA secretary Abhay Hadap, Suryakumar Yadav was not dropped by the selectors. Instead, his availability for the first match was not confirmed. “No, SKY hasn’t been dropped. It’s just that his availability wasn’t confirmed for this match. The Mumbai Cricket Association’s staff tried to contact him, but he didn’t give his availability for this match to us,” Hadap told TOI.

As for Shreyas Iyer, the middle-order batter has officially requested a six-month break from red-ball cricket due to recurring back problems. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sanctioned his plea, enabling him to get back to work on his recovery before turning out for longer-form cricket again. He will be missed, but the administration is confident this respite will see him gain full fitness for future international commitments.

Mumbai Begin a New Chapter Under Shardul Thakur

Despite missing two senior stars, Mumbai still look strong on paper. Ajinkya Rahane will play a key role in the middle order, while Shardul Thakur’s all-round skills will bring balance and leadership to the side. Sarfaraz Khan, who recently recovered from injury, makes his return and will reunite with his younger brother Musheer Khan. The bowling unit also appears to be in good shape with Tushar Deshpande and Royston Dias strengthening the pace unit.

See Also: [WATCH] "Always getting runs..."- Travis Head reveals strategy against Virat Kohli during AUS vs IND ODI series

Youngster Ayush Mhatre, who played as captain of India's U-19 team and is part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) IPL team, has also been drafted into the unit. Mumbai, which is in Elite Group D with Delhi, Hyderabad, and Jammu & Kashmir, will look to kick-start their season on a high note and take one step ahead after last season's runners-up finish to Vidarbha.

Mumbai Squad for Ranji Trophy 2025–26:

Shardul Thakur (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Tushar Deshpande, Shams Mulani, Siddhesh Lad, Musheer Khan, Ayush Mhatre, Tanush Kotian, Aakash Anand (WK), Hardik Tamore (WK), Akhil Herwadkar, Irfan Umair, Sylvester Dsouza, Royston Dias.

Tags:

Follow us on

WATCH NOW

WATCH-Rohit-Sharma-saying-how-India-manage-to-win-T20-World-Cup-2024-after-consistent-close-disappointments-in-CEAT-Tyres-Award-2025.webp

3 days ago

Watch: Rohit Sharma's full speech at CEAT Cricket Awards in Mumbai after captaincy snub

IMG_20251007_140440.webp

4 days ago

Watch: Prabhsimran Singh's practice video with Yuvraj Singh after scoring century for India A

Yograj-Singh-training.webp

4 days ago

Watch: Emerging Australian batter training under Yuvraj Singh's father

It is not my job to announce the winner

Rohit Sharma on being asked if England were rightly awarded the World Cup title in 2019