In a setback to Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy campaign, Shreyas Iyer and Shivam Dube will both be absent for the upcoming quarter-final match against Baroda due to injuries. According to a report from ESPNcricinfo, Iyer, who has been experiencing a back spasm, will miss the game, as will Dube, who is sidelined with a side strain. The match is scheduled to commence on February 23 at Mumbai’s home ground.
Iyer’s recent struggles with back issues have been evident since the warm-up matches in the Ranji Trophy preceding the Test series against England. Following the second Test, he was excluded from the squad due to back spasms, which had also plagued him in the past, leading to his absence from IPL 2023 until his return for the Asia Cup in September. Despite these challenges, Iyer demonstrated his batting prowess during the ODI World Cup, accumulating an impressive total of 530 runs at an average of 66.25.
As he aims for a swift recovery to lead the Kolkata Knight Riders in the upcoming IPL season, his absence will be keenly felt by the Mumbai team. Meanwhile, Dube’s absence adds to Mumbai’s woes, considering his significant contributions with two centuries and two half-centuries in the current Ranji season.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is closely monitoring the absence of centrally contracted players like Iyer and Dube, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing domestic cricket over lucrative T20 leagues like the IPL.
Despite these setbacks, Mumbai, led by captain Ajinkya Rahane, will rely on the leadership of experienced players like Prithvi Shaw, Shardul Thakur, and Dhawal Kulkarni in the upcoming match. The 16-man squad also includes promising talents like Musheer Khan, brother of India’s recent debutant Sarfaraz Khan, indicating a blend of experience and youth.
In addition to Mumbai’s match against Baroda, other quarter-final clashes in the Ranji Trophy include Vidarbha facing Karnataka at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground in Nagpur for the 1st Quarter Final, Tamil Nadu taking on Saurashtra at the SNR College Cricket Ground in Coimbatore for the 3rd Quarter Final, and Madhya Pradesh competing against Andhra at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore for the 4th Quarter Final.
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