The 61st edition of the Irani Cup will be played at the Ekana Stadium from October 1 to 5. The Ranji Trophy 2023-24 champions, Mumbai, will take on the Rest of India in a high-octane battle. Winning a 15th title will be extremely tough for Ajinkya Rahane‘s depleted Mumbai team. Several of their main players are injured or playing for the national team.
Tushar Deshpande will undergo ankle surgery, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi is yet to prove his fitness after a stress fracture in his back. As if that wasn’t enough, they might have lost one of the most in-form players in the domestic circuit, Musheer Khan. The 19-year-old has reported being involved in a road accident, which has ruled him out of the Irani Cup 2024.
Opener conundrum: Prithvi Shaw & who?
The good news, though, is that his older brother, Sarfaraz Khan, is expected to be released by the Indian cricket team and offer his services. This makes their middle order extremely strong, but some players might have to bat out of order. Prithvi Shaw will open, but he doesn’t have a designated partner. Siddhesh Lad, who wasn’t part of their team in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24, might have to open. He’s used to playing in the middle order and averages just a touch below 40. He’ll have to make do if he wishes to make Mumbai’s Playing XI in the Irani Cup 2024.
Shreyas, Sarfaraz & Rahane: Stacked middle-order
The reason why he’s forced to do so is because Shreyas Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane and Sarfaraz Khan are present in the middle order. Rahane scored a hundred in the second last red-ball match he played in County Cricket, but Sarfaraz and Shreyas haven’t been in the best of touch. It’ll be a good test for them to face some of the best bowlers in India.
Shardul back in action
Shardul Thakur, who didn’t play in the Duleep Trophy 2024 due to injury, will return. The pacer will look to prove his worth in the Irani Cup and contend for a spot in India’s squad for the Australia tour. He’ll be joined by two other in-form all-rounders, Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian. Both did well in the Duleep Trophy and will be the ones to watch for with both bat and ball.
Mohit Avasthi and Royston Dias will be the pacers. They are the most experienced fast bowlers in the lineup and were part of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy-winning campaign earlier in the year. Their right-left combo should work well, and Shardul can assist them on pace-friendly pitches.
Predicted Mumbai Playing XI in Irani Cup
Prithvi Shaw, Siddhesh Lad, Shreyas Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Sarfaraz Khan*, Hardik Tamore (wk), Shardul Thakur, Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Royston Dias, Mohit Avasthi
*If Sarfaraz isn’t released then Suryansh Shedge will replace him
