New-look Mumbai face starting problems in Ranji opener

INDORE: Having clinched the national cricket championships for a record 41 times, Mumbai have a few problems to sort out before they take on Madhya Pradesh in their Ranji Trophy opener at The Emerald Heights International School ground, here, from Saturday.
For starters, just like many past seasons, Mumbai are without a few of their trusted stars. In-form batsmen Shreyas Iyer, Prithvi Shaw and experienced medium pacer Dhawal Kulkarni have all got a call to play the tour matches against the visiting New Zealanders for the Board President's XI at the Cricket Club of India on October 17 and 19.
Another key performer, Shardul Thakur, who has spearheaded the bowling attack in the absence of Kulkarni (away due to injury) with aplomb, will be busy with the India A one-dayers against New Zealand A. Yet another pacer, Tushar Deshpande, who picked 21 wickets from 8 matches last season, is out of action with an injury. Adding to the list of missing stars is captain Aditya Tare, who has opted to stay by his wife as the couple are expecting their first child.
The wicketkeeper-batsman's deputy, Surya Kumar Yadav, will lead the team against Madhya Pradesh. The biggest worry for Mumbai, though, is the few youngsters who have filled the vacancy are pretty raw and have little experience playing at this level.
Left-arm medium pacer Royston Dias, who was with the team last season but could get just one game, is expected to open the attack in the absence of the big guns. The other two seamers picked for this game, Shivam Malhotra and Minad Manjrekar have played for Mumbai in the shorter versions, but have never played a four-day game. If picked, their skills and adaptability at this level will be put to stern test.
Akash Parkar is another youngster who has been picked in the squad for the first time. He has just one T20 match against Odisha for Mumbai to show.
Shubham Ranjane, who played a couple of games for Mumbai last season, but then had to sit out the entire season with an injury is back. Whether he will be able to replicate the form he showed in the couple of games remains to be seen.
MP on the other hand won their opening encounter against Baroda outright and are brimming with confidence. Mumbai, who have never lost to MP in Indore, then have their work cut out. The big question is whether youngsters will be able to deliver in such a big game for the visitors?
Mumbai's new coach Sameer Dighe and stand-in skipper Yadav have no doubt that the team will deliver. “The seniors have shepherded the youngsters in the team very well. The youngsters on their part have responded positively. Importantly, they are well aware what their responsibilities are. I don't think the young guys in the team will be at sea playing a big Ranji Trophy match like this,” Dighe said on Friday.
But will it be fair to usher in youngsters on the big stage at the beginning of the season. Yadav felt it will only be good for the guys playing the match. “Why not?” Yadav responded. “It doesn't matter if it is at the start of the season. The boys know what is to be done and how it has to be done.” Speaking about his return to the helm, Yadav said: “I have always enjoyed challenges. I am looking forward to my new role,” he said.