Siddhesh Lad and Mumbai steady day one vs Chandigarh in Ranji Trophy

Mumbai's Ranji Trophy match against Chandigarh at Wankhede Stadium got off to a rocky start. Siddhesh Lad stepped up with an impressive unbeaten score of 80, stabilising a shaky innings. After a quick succession of wickets, he secured his 31st first-class half-century with crucial partnerships. Akash Anand added 22 runs, and Shams Mulani ended the day not out on 27.

Mumbai: Mumbai head coach Omkar Salvi praised his batters for showing resilience and discipline on a challenging opening day of their Ranji Trophy match against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium, highlighting Siddhesh Lad's leadership and the team's ability to recover from early setbacks.Mumbai finished the opening day on 250 for five, with Salvi expressing satisfaction over the batters' application against a disciplined Chandigarh bowling attack."Normally, on the first day at Wankhede, there is something for the bowlers. The way the boys applied themselves was great to watch. You could see their commitment towards the plan," Salvi said.He praised the partnerships involving Musheer Khan, Ayush Mhatre, Akash and Lad, which helped Mumbai consolidate their position despite losing wickets at crucial stages.Ranji Trophy 2026: Rinku Singh, Yash Rathod Slam Centuries; Mohammed Shami Takes Four Wickets As KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal Fail "The way we fought and built those partnerships was good to watch. The boys respected the conditions and backed their game plans," he said.Salvi reserved special praise for Lad, who took charge as captain in the opening match of the season and displayed maturity under pressure."Over the last two seasons, Siddhesh has grown tremendously as a player. You can see his leadership qualities and his calm demeanour at the crease, which brings calmness to the dressing room," Salvi said."He has experienced failures and success throughout his cricketing journey. He is now a settled and experienced player who uses that experience very well."Asked about the failures of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan, Salvi remained confident about their ability to bounce back.IND vs WI 3rd T20I: Abhishek Sharma's Crocodile-Cup Catching Blunder Proves Costly As Shimron Hetmyer Smashes 43 Off 26 Balls | VIDEO "Cricket is a game where one ball can dismiss a batter. We know the quality they possess and are positive they will perform in the coming matches," he said.Salvi also dismissed suggestions that Mumbai should have adopted a more aggressive batting approach."We need to respect the conditions and the situation. I am happy with the way our batters applied themselves," he said.Looking ahead, Salvi stressed the importance of extending Mumbai's first innings, pointing to the batting depth available in the lower order."The longer we bat, the better. We have players down the order who can contribute. Let us see how we capitalise tomorrow morning," he said.He also acknowledged Chandigarh's bowling effort, saying the visitors had played to their strengths despite their unfamiliarity with Wankhede conditions.IND Vs WI 3rd T20I: Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh Star As India Seal 14-Run Win In Indore; Go 2-1 Up Reflecting on Mumbai's quarter-final exit last season, Salvi said the players had used the off-season to assess their performances, improve their skills and refine individual game plans.He also credited experienced players for mentoring younger members of the squad.On Lad reaching 5,000 runs for Mumbai, Salvi attributed his longevity to his passion for red-ball cricket and his willingness to guide youngsters.Salvi also welcomed former India cricketer Sandeep Patil's presence in the dressing room, saying his experience, knowledge and guidance would benefit the team."His voice, experience, knowledge of the game and small tips will definitely help the players," Salvi said.

Mumbai: Skipper Siddhesh Lad and Musheer Khan saved the day for Mumbai while Chandigarh punched above their weight as the two teams shared the honours on day one of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group match at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.At stumps on day one, Mumbai were 249/5 in 84 overs with Lad batting on 80 in 176 balls with eight fours while Shams Mulani accompanied him on 27 in 46 balls in 82 minutes.Earlier, vice-captain Ayush Mhatre’s 48 and Musheer Khan’s 65 helped Mumbai find some momentum after losing star India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal early.Chandigarh skipper Manan Vohra won the toss and elected to field first and Jagjit Singh Sandhu justified that decision early.IND vs WI 3rd T20I: Abhishek Sharma's Crocodile-Cup Catching Blunder Proves Costly As Shimron Hetmyer Smashes 43 Off 26 Balls | VIDEO The pacer sent India opener and star batter Yashasvi Jaiswal packing off the last ball of the third over caught by S Bhambri to put Mumbai on the backfoot.Mhatre was rebuilding for Mumbai as he slammed 31 in 48 balls after 14 overs with Mumbai reaching 39/1. Musheer Khan was giving him company batting on four after coming one down.Chandigarh bowlers Sandhu, Rohit Dhanda and Raj Bawa kept Mumbai in check with some incisive bowling.In the 19th over, Mhatre smashed Dhanda for a cracking square cut boundary that proved his growing reputation.Mumbai brought up their fifty in 19.2 overs as Mhatre held their innings together.IND Vs WI 3rd T20I: Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh Star As India Seal 14-Run Win In Indore; Go 2-1 Up Left-arm spinner Nishunk Birla came into the attack in the 22nd over as Chandigarh aimed to break the Mhatre-Musheer partnership.Mhatre hoisted Birla for a massive six in the 24th over as Mumbai got some momentum going closing in on lunch as they reached 65/1 while the vice-captain reached 46.Musheer struck his first boundary off Dhanda in the 25th over and the four came off the 56th ball that he faced.After a well-made 48, Mhatre was bowled by Dhanda as Chandigarh hit back bringing skipper Siddhesh Lad into the middle.Mumbai went into lunch at 84/2 in 30 overs with Musheer batting on 26 and captain Lad on five.Thereafter, Musheer steadied the ship for Mumbai as he struck a timely fifty by nudging a single to long off in Birla’s over.IND Vs WI 3rd T20I: Shai Hope, Roston Chase Get Into Heated Argument With Umpires Over Bye Run Against India; VIDEO The fifty came off 117 balls with three fours as Mumbai reached 120/2 in 46 overs.Musheer and Lad brought up their 50-run partnership in 132 balls as Mumbai reached 122/2.Musheer was eventually out for 65 in 149 balls with four boundaries as Mumbai were at 142/3 in 54.2 overs. He was caught behind by wicket-keeper Akshit Rana off Dhanda that brought a promising innings to an end.It brought to end a 65-run partnership that came of 165 balls with Lad batting on 24.Rohit Dhanda struck again when he had Sarfaraz Khan trapped leg before as Mumbai slumped to 144/4 in 56.1 overs.At tea, Mumbai reached 153/4 in 57 overs with Lad on 29 and new batter Akash Anand on five.Bizarre! Tilak Varma Caught Off Guard As Lack Of Awareness Results In Awkward Runout Anand was out for 22 after chipping in with a quickfire 22 off 34 balls as Mumbai slipped to 184/5 in 67.4 overs.Skipper Lad was holding fort on 42 off 127 balls with Mumbai aiming to get to a respectable start.Mumbai reached 214/5 in 76 overs while Lad cracked a fifty to reach 56 in 149 balls.

New Delhi: Centuries from Rinku Singh, Ravichandran Smaran, Yash Rathod and other standout performances from Mohammed Shami, Musheer Khan and Ravindra Jadeja highlighted the first day of Ranji Trophy first-round matches on Sunday.While the day saw some of India's biggest domestic and international talents and some of rising/fringe talent shine, Test match regulars KL Rahul (4) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (0) failed to score big for Karnataka and Mumbai, respectively.-Elite Group AIn the elite Group A, Uttar Pradesh was put to bat first by Bihar. With UP at 85/3 at one point, centuries from Madhav Kaushik (124* in 252 balls, with five fours and three sixes) and Rinku (109* in 164 balls, with eight fours and three sixes) took UP to 287/3, as the batters put on an unbeaten double-ton stand for the fourth wicket.In the other group A clash between Vidarbha and Puducherry, Vidarbha sank to 54/5 after electing to bat first, courtesy of some fine bowling from Vijai Raja (2/47) and Gaurav Yadav (2/61). However, centuries from Yash Rathod (131* in 167 balls, with 11 fours and a six) and skipper Akshay Wadkar (112* in 225 balls, with 13 fours) took the three-time Ranji champions to 300/5 at day's end.The defending champions Jammu and Kashmir also had a great day at work, bundling out Madhya Pradesh for just 196, with their innings held together on a thread by skipper Shubham Sharma (79 in 174 balls, with eight fours). Rohit Sharma (5/36) and Sunil Kumar (4/69) took the lion's share of wickets, while Auqib Nabi also got one. At the end of day's play, J&K was 3/1, with Qamran Iqbal and Vanshaj Sharma unbeaten.-Elite Group BShifting focus to Group B, Karnataka saw KL Rahul returning to Ranji action against Andhra Pradesh, but perished in single digits. With Karnataka at 22/4, skipper Smaran (126 in 218 balls, with 11 fours and a six) played a sensational knock under pressure, with a fifty coming from Krishnan Shrijith (58 in 82 balls, with three fours and three sixes). Karnataka was skittled out for just 274 runs, with Saurabh Kumar (3/69) being the top wicket-taker. AP was 16/2 to end the day, trailing by 258 runs.Saurashtra saw Ravindra Jadeja returning to action as well against Chhattisgarh. Half-centuries from Prerak Mankad (92* in 112 balls, with 11 fours and a six), Chirag Jani (83 in 148 balls, with 12 fours and two sixes) and Jadeja (72* in 154 balls, with five fours) saw Saurashtra post 308/4 at the day's end.IND Vs WI 3rd T20I Toss Update: Shai Hope Wins Toss And Puts India Into Bat; Shreyas Makes Two Changes-Elite Group CShifting focus to Group C, Mohammed Shami was in full flow against Delhi, taking 4/30 as they were skittled out for 240 runs, with standout knocks coming from Hrithik Shokeen (56 in 98 balls, with three fours and two sixes), Ayush Doseja (45 in 92 balls, with six fours) and Sarthak Ranjan (33 in 80 balls, with four boundaries). Akash Deep (2/74) was also among the wickets for Bengal.The clash between Maharashtra and Services saw standout knocks from Prithvi (70 in 73 balls, with eight fours and a six) and Ankit Bawne (105* in 232 balls, with 11 fours and a six) as Maharashtra ended their day at 287/5.-Elite Group DShifting focus to Group D, Mumbai posted 249/5 at the day end against Chandigarh. Put to bat first, Yashasvi succumbed to a 13-ball duck. However, half-centuries from skipper Siddhesh Lad (80* in 176 balls, with eight fours) and Musheer Khan (65 in 149 balls, with four boundaries) and an attacking 82-ball 48 from Ayush Mhatre, saw the 42-time champions end the day with Lad and Shams Mulani (27*) unbeaten.Rohit Dhanda (3/44) was among the top wicket-takers for Chandigarh.(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and auto-generated from an agency feed.)

Mumbai: Forty-two-time champions Mumbai will look to begin their quest for another Ranji Trophy title on a winning note when they take on Chandigarh in their 2026-27 season opener at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.The match promises an interesting contest, with former Mumbai wicketkeeper-batter and coach Vinayak Samant taking charge of Chandigarh just days before their opening fixture. His appointment comes after Chandigarh endured a disappointing 2025-26 campaign, winning only one of their seven league matches.Mumbai, meanwhile, enter the new season with a formidable batting line-up and renewed determination to reclaim the title that has eluded them since their triumph in 2023-24.Siddhesh Lad will lead the side, with promising young batter Ayush Mhatre serving as vice-captain. The hosts have named a strong squad featuring India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Musheer Khan, Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian.The return of Jaiswal adds considerable strength to Mumbai's batting, while Sarfaraz's experience and prolific domestic record will be crucial to their plans.Mumbai will, however, miss experienced all-rounder Shardul Thakur, who is unavailable because of an injury. Suryakumar Yadav has also been left out of the squad, with selectors citing his lack of recent red-ball match practice.Speaking ahead of the season, Lad acknowledged the expectations associated with representing Mumbai, who are seeking a record-extending 43rd Ranji Trophy crown.The captain emphasised the importance of embracing the pressure that accompanies Mumbai's rich cricketing legacy rather than allowing it to affect the team's performances.Mhatre, who led India to the Under-19 World Cup title earlier this year, will also have an important role at the top of the order. His elevation to vice-captain reflects the selectors' confidence in the youngster's leadership abilities.Mumbai's previous campaign ended in disappointment despite a strong league-stage showing. They collected 33 points to qualify for the quarter-finals but suffered a four-wicket defeat against Karnataka, bringing their title challenge to a premature end.That result will provide additional motivation as Mumbai look to translate their squad strength into consistent performances.For Chandigarh, the immediate challenge is considerably greater. The visitors finished the 2025-26 season with one victory, five defeats and a draw, exposing weaknesses they will need to address against stronger opposition.Their preparations have also been disrupted by a late coaching change, with Samant joining the squad on Thursday, Oct 8, barely three days before the opening match.The former Mumbai coach brings valuable experience, having guided Mumbai to the Vijay Hazare Trophy title in 2018-19. More recently, he helped Bihar win the Ranji Trophy Plate Group and Vijay Hazare Trophy Plate Group competitions last season.Samant's familiarity with the Wankhede Stadium and Mumbai's cricketing culture could prove useful as Chandigarh attempt to challenge the hosts.However, the limited preparation time presents a significant obstacle for the new coach, who must quickly assess his players and establish a strategy.Why Is Shubman Gill Missing Punjab’s Ranji Trophy Opener?Chandigarh captain Manan Vohra will be expected to shoulder considerable responsibility with the bat and provide leadership against a vastly more experienced Mumbai outfit.The contrasting soil conditions could also influence the contest, with Chandigarh accustomed to black-soil pitches at home while Mumbai traditionally play on red-soil surfaces.Mumbai will start as firm favourites, but Chandigarh will hope that Samant's knowledge of the opposition helps them produce a competitive performance.For the hosts, a convincing opening victory would provide the ideal platform for another assault on the Ranji Trophy title.

Opener Jaiswal’s availability is a big boost boost for the 42-time champion; Chandigarh has its task cut out against the home team at the Wankhede

Mumbai, October 8, 2026: Captain Siddhesh Lad and vice-captain Ayush Mhatre are eyeing a record-extending 43rd Ranji Trophy title as a young and energised Mumbai side begins its campaign against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.Speaking at a pre-season press conference organised by the Mumbai Cricket Association at the Wankhede Stadium, Lad and Mhatre shared insights into the team’s preparations, tactical approach and ambitions for the upcoming red-ball season.Mumbai captain Lad spoke about the responsibility of carrying forward the team’s rich legacy, emphasising the importance of embracing the pressure that comes with representing one of Indian domestic cricket’s most successful teams. “Given Mumbai’s rich history, the 42 Ranji Trophy titles we have won and the legacy of players who have represented the team, there will always be pressure when you wear the Mumbai jersey. But as a unit, we want to embrace that pressure rather than run away from it. We understand the history and culture that come with representing Mumbai, and we are looking forward to the season,” Lad said.Following his elevation to a leadership role, vice-captain Mhatre elaborated on taking up responsibility and working alongside the seniors. He said: “Being named vice-captain of Mumbai is a big responsibility and a very proud moment for me, especially given the stature of the team and what the Ranji Trophy means to Mumbai cricket. The support I have received from the team has been excellent, and I have never felt like I was treated differently because I am a youngster. Siddesh Lad has supported me a lot and always made me feel comfortable within the team. I have also learnt the importance of staying calm on the field. We have always seen how Mahendra Singh Dhoni remains calm, and one of the things I have learnt from him is that anger may last for five minutes, but decisions taken in anger can often be wrong. Once you calm down, you can think better. I have tried to follow that approach, stay composed on the field and make better decisions for myself and the team.”Mumbai’s 16-member squad blends experienced domestic campaigners with emerging young talent, with the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan and Musheer Khan adding depth and pedigree as the side begins its pursuit of a record-extending 43rd Ranji Trophy title.Captain Lad brings extensive First-Class experience to the leadership group, having amassed over 5,600 runs across his domestic career. A key middle-order presence during the 2025–26 season, Lad provided Mumbai with stability and resilience in pressure situations.Vice-captain Mhatre continues his rapid rise in domestic cricket. The 19-year-old opening batter has scored 660 runs in 13 First-Class matches. Having returned from a hamstring injury that ruled him out earlier this year, Mhatre’s composure at the top of the order will be an important asset for Mumbai’s batting unit.Mumbai squad for first match of Ranji Trophy 2026-27:Siddhesh Lad (Captain), Ayush Mhatre (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Divyansh Saxena, Musheer Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Suved Parkar, Aakash Anand (wk), Hardik Tamore (wk), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Atharva Ankolekar, Tushar Deshpande, Mohit Awasthi, Sylvester D'Souza and Onkar Tarmale.

Mumbai: Mumbai's newly appointed vice-captain Ayush Mhatre is looking forward to the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season with renewed determination, describing his elevation to the leadership role as a proud moment and an opportunity to contribute to the success of the 42-time champions.The young batter, who has gained experience in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and age-group international cricket, believes the responsibility of being vice-captain of a side with Mumbai's rich cricketing legacy will help him grow as a player and leader."It's a really good opportunity for me. Vice-captaining the Mumbai team is a really tough job and also a proud moment for me. I will try my best to give my 100% for the team," Mhatre said ahead of the new season.Support from senior playersDespite being one of the younger members of the squad, Mhatre said he has received tremendous support from the senior players, making his transition into the leadership group easier."Everyone is supporting me well. I have never felt that the senior players are not involving me or not talking to me. They have always supported me on the field," he said.Leadership lessons from MS DhoniMhatre also spoke about the influence of former India captain MS Dhoni, with whom he has shared the dressing room at Chennai Super Kings, and the leadership lessons he has learnt from the veteran wicketkeeper-batter.According to Mhatre, Dhoni's emphasis on remaining calm under pressure has helped shape his approach to decision-making."He always tells me that you should be calm on the field. Some decisions taken in an aggressive mood are not the right decisions. Anger lasts for five minutes, but when you calm down, you can think better and make the right decision for the team," Mhatre said."That is one thing I have learnt from him, and it has helped me a lot. I try to stay calm on the field."'Pressure Is A Privilege': Captain Siddhesh Lad Leads 42-Time Champions Mumbai Into Ranji Trophy 2026-27Challenges of red-ball cricketWhile Mhatre has already experienced the demands of T20 cricket through the IPL, he remains equally enthusiastic about the challenges of the longer format.The young batter believes red-ball cricket tests a player's technique, temperament and patience far more extensively because of the changing conditions throughout the day."Red-ball cricket is very challenging because you have to spend the whole day at the wicket. There are different conditions. In the morning, you get some swing, and in the afternoon, there can be a little turn. So it is really difficult to bat in red-ball cricket," he said.Focus on scoring runs for MumbaiComparing the format with the IPL, Mhatre acknowledged that batting conditions in T20 cricket can often be more favourable.Also Watch:"In the IPL, we get very good wickets where the ball comes nicely onto the bat. But red-ball cricket is very important, and I really enjoy playing it. My main focus is to play well and score runs for Mumbai," he said.Mhatre also revealed that he has worked on specific aspects of his batting during the break, particularly his patience, shot selection and mental approach."I haven't made any big changes. There were some small changes in my batting technique. I worked on my mind, being patient and choosing the right ball," he said.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

Mumbai: Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad believes the pressure of representing the 42-time Ranji Trophy champions is a privilege rather than a burden as his team prepares for the 2026-27 season with renewed focus on fitness, fielding and consistency.Returning to the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Lad expressed confidence in Mumbai's preparations and said the team was determined to build on its rich legacy while addressing the shortcomings that hurt its campaign last season.Also Watch: "It is always good to be back at Wankhede Stadium. As youngsters, we have always dreamt of playing at this iconic stadium. I feel the preparations have been really good," Lad said.Mumbai's preparations began in June and included off-season training camps and pre-season tournaments. Several players also gained valuable experience through India A assignments and other domestic competitions."We have played a couple of pre-season tournaments. A lot of players from our team went on to play for India A. Everyone is motivated and we are very happy to be back at Wankhede," he said.For Lad, the biggest challenge will be managing the expectations that come with leading Indian domestic cricket's most successful Ranji Trophy side."Because of the rich history that Mumbai has, being 42-time champions, and the legacy of the players who have represented Mumbai, the pressure will always be there. But as a unit, we want to embrace it and not run away from it," Lad said. Phone Call On One Side, Music On The Other! Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Unique Multitasking Moment Goes Viral Ahead Of IND vs WI 2nd T20 | VideoThe captain acknowledged that playing at home brings additional pressure, with supporters expecting Mumbai to maintain their traditionally high standards."Playing at home is also pressure because you have your own fans and everyone watching you play. We want to take pressure as a privilege and not run away from it," he said.Mumbai enjoyed a strong league-stage campaign last season but failed to maintain that momentum in the knockouts. Lad said the team had identified areas requiring improvement, particularly fitness and fielding."We worked a lot on our fitness right from the off-season camp. The fitness markers have definitely gone up. We have a standard now of fitness and everyone is in good shape," he said."We worked a lot on our fielding as well because there were some opportunities which we could have grabbed. Our job is to prepare well."Beyond physical preparation, Lad wants players to understand their responsibilities and feel secure in their roles."As a captain, I want my players to have clarity in their roles. We are communicating well with them. I want my senior players and junior players to settle well in their roles, and for that we need to give them a long run," he said. Nana Patekar Death: Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane And More Cricketers Mourn Demise Of Veteran ActorHaving played under experienced Mumbai captains, including Ajit Agarkar, Aditya Tare, Wasim Jaffer and Ajinkya Rahane, Lad believes those experiences have prepared him for leadership.He acknowledged that managing team combinations when players leave for national or India A assignments would be challenging."Playing under a lot of leaders when I represented Mumbai gave me confidence. I got to learn a lot about how to handle the team. With my experience, I want to help the young guys go to the next level," he said.Mumbai will miss experienced all-rounder Shardul Thakur for their opening fixture as he recovers from injury."A player like Shardul gives us the right balance in the team. He contributes with both bat and ball, and his experience is very valuable. We are expecting him to be back by the second or, at most, the third game," Lad said.The captain also welcomed the presence of India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, whose international experience he believes will benefit the younger players.Lad acknowledged that Ajinkya Rahane's absence would be felt but said the former captain remained available to offer guidance.Vice-captain Ayush Mhatre described his elevation as a proud moment and promised to give his best for the team.Despite Mumbai's title ambitions, Lad stressed the importance of concentrating on the process rather than looking too far ahead."We should win the Ranji Trophy, but we cannot win it just like that. We will have to work hard every day, take each match at a time and follow that process. I am sure the results will follow," he said.