Ahead of their clash against Odisha in Ranji Trophy 2017/18, Mumbai have received a big boost in the form of Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur. Both the players are not the member of India’s T20I side for the series against New Zealand, and Mumbai selectors were quick to add these two in the state team, on a day when Mumbai finished its second game of the season against Tamil Nadu.
However, Mumbai will lose out on the services of Shreyas Iyer, who has been selected to the Indian team for the T20I series. There is a direct swap in case of Rahane as Iyer has vacated his place and Rahane is one to replace him.
Rahane missed the opening game for Mumbai against Madhya Pradesh which left everyone surprised. At that point, India was playing T20I series against Australia and Rahane was available for the side but he opted out of the game, after informing the selection committee head by former Indian all-rounder Ajit Agarkar.
Jay Bista has been retained in the Mumbai side, but again, he might warm the bench due to the inclusion of Rahane. The opener scored a century in the first game against Madhya Pradesh but lost the race to Akhil Herwadkar in the second game. He was then included in Mumbai U23 side as captain. He will join the Mumbai Ranji squad at the end of the game, and in case he is not included in playing XI again, then he might come back to play CK Nayudu Trophy.
Mumbai have played a total of two games till now. Their first encounter came against Madhya Pradesh where Mumbai garnered three points by acquiring first innings lead. In the second game, however, the 41-time champion side gave away three points and satisfied with just one point as Tamil Nadu obtained the first innings lead over Aditya Tare led side.
Mumbai will face Odisha in their next contest. The match will be played at home ground of Odisha in Bhubaneshwar from November 1 to 4. Rahane and Shardul will have a crucial role to play in Mumbai’s success as the team is yet to post a win in two games it has played.