Sarfaraz Khan, a prolific hitter, will not play in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy opener against Baroda on October 11
Sarfaraz Khan, a prolific hitter, will not play in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy opener against Baroda on October 11. The Mumbai batsman, who scored a match-winning 222 not out in their Irani Cup success last week, will be at the National Cricket Academy, according to reports. The team for their first two games was chosen by the Mumbai selectors. The defending champions Mumbai will play an away match against Baroda on October 11 and an at-home match against Maharashtra on October 18, which falls on the same day as the opening Test match between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru on October 16. It is anticipated that Sarfaraz would stay in the Indian team.
As Mumbai was granted Rs 1 crore by the Mumbai Cricket Association for their historic Irani Cup victory, Ajinkya Rahane underlined the need of granting players “freedom” and “confidence.”
Last week in Lucknow, Mumbai, headed by Rahane, broke a 27-year drought to win the event by beating Rest of India based on a lead in the first innings.
During a felicitation event on Monday, the MCA revealed an additional Rs 1 crore in addition to the Rs 50 lakh prize money awarded by the BCCI. Abhay Hadap, the MCA secretary, made the statement.
When questioned about his performances as both Mumbai’s and India’s captain, Rahane responded, “There is no secret to success. I am a firm believer of the thought that this game is not for individuals; there are 11 players playing and 4-5 are sitting outside. All the players are equally important.”
“Every player in their own right is a match-winner. Every player has a responsibility. Those sitting outside can give such inputs which as a captain on the field might not think of,” the skipper said. “As a captain, it is important to give them freedom and confidence.”
Sarfaraz Khan, an Indian batsman for Mumbai and the player of the match for his undefeated 222, stated he had given his younger brother Musheer a commitment to score a hundred runs on his behalf.
The squad is composed of Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Prithvi Shaw, Ayush Mhatre, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Shreyas Iyer, Siddhessh Lad, Suryansh Shedge, Hardik Tamore (WK), Sidhaant Addhatrao (WK), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Himanshu Singh, Shardul Thakur, Mohit Avasthi, and Mohd. Juned Khan, Dias Royston.
