Ranji Trophy 2016-17: Mumbai announce squad for opening match; Shreyas Iyer left out

Mumbai, Oct 1 (PTI) Reigning Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai today included opener Arman Jaffer in their squad to play against Tamil Nadu in the opening game at Lahli from October 6 to 9. This is the first time the 19-year-old youngster, nephew of former India opener Wasim, has been included in the Mumbai Ranji squad. The team will be led by wicketkeeper Aditya Tare who led Mumbai to their 41st title last season.

Mumbai team: Aditya Tare (Capt), Abhishek Nayar, Dhawal Kulkarni, Shardul Thakur, Suryakumar Yadav, Nikhil Patil (Jr.), Akhil Herwadkar, Jay Bista, Arman Jaffer, Kaustub Pawar, Sufiyan Shaikh, Balwinder Singh Sandhu (Jr.), Tushar Deshpande, Vishal Dabholkar, Vijay Gohil.

On the other hand, veteran Devendra Bundela will lead the Madhya Pradesh cricket team in the upcoming Ranji Trophy. The selectors have retained the 39-year-old right-handed batsman as the team’s skipper for the domestic tournament, an official of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) said today. MP will play its opening match against Uttar Pradesh from October 6 at Hyderabad. After that, the side will take on Punjab at Lahli in Haryana from October 13, he said.

On the other hand, Abhinav Mukund who had a great season with regards to Duleep Trophy and among runs these days; Mukund seems to stay for long. Mukund was part of TNPL’s TUTI Patriot, the winning team in this edition, after his side was defeated in the final of Duleep Trophy. He has been the captain of Tamil Nadu Ranji team for the last two seasons.While the last season did not go as per the plans as most of the matches held at home were ruined by rains and was one of the major cause for their defeat in the previous season. However, Mukund did not lead Tamil Nadu for the Ranji final in 2015. But there has not been a single moment where he has not enjoyed his captaincy. Mukund is confident this time the Tamil Nadu team has the right bunch of cricketers this season and is looking forward to lead the side once again in Ranji Trophy 2016-17.