Mumbai have received a big blow ahead of the quarterfinal game, as Shardul Thakur will not play the knockout contest. The state association has though not given any, reason but it is understood that he has been ruled out due to the shoulder injury, which he suffered during Mumbai’s last league stage game against Tripura at the Wankhede stadium.

It was said Shardul had been ruled out for a week, but now it looks like he will be out of action for few more days.

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Ranji Trophy 2017/18: Shardul Thakur to Miss Quarterfinal; Prithvi Shaw Included in Mumbai's Squad 1 — Image Courtesy: Twitter

The same issue is now deemed to be the reason behind him getting dropped from the India side for the Sri Lanka ODIs. Shardul was part of the national ODI side from past three series, but he got replaced by Siddarth Kaul for the upcoming series, which came as a surprise, as he had played just two games, which came way back in Sri Lanka.

Prithvi Shaw also got included in Mumbai side, which gives an indication he has been allowed to play Ranji Trophy. There were reports that he could be asked to miss the game to join the U19 camp ahead of the World Cup but looks like he has been allowed to play in the senior’s league.

He is currently playing U19 Challenger Trophy and is, in fact, leading India Red side against India Green in today’s game. If Mumbai wins the quarterfinal, they would ask team management to release Shaw for the semi-final contest as well.

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Ranji Trophy 2017/18 Ajinkya Rahane — (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

Unlike the last time, Mumbai selectors did not leave any vacant spot for any India player. Both Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer could be available for the team if they do not get included in the playing XI in the ODI, series but selectors did not keep any vacant spot and announced a 15-member squad.

There was no comeback for Abhishek Nayar, whose inclusion could have provided a much need experience to Mumbai team.

Mumbai will take on R Vinay Kumar-led Karnataka in Nagpur from December 7 to 11. Mumbai ended the league stage as the second placed team in group C while Karnataka finished as table toppers of Group A, ahead of second-placed Delhi.

Squad – Aditya Tare (Captain), Surya Kumar Yadav (Vice Captain), Dhawal Kulkarni, Siddhesh Lad, Jay Bista, Prithvi Shaw, Akhil Herwadkar, Sufiyan Shaikh, Akash Parkar, Karsh Kothari, Sagar Trivedi, Vijay Gohil, Shivam Malhotra, Shivam Dube, Shubham Ranjane.

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