Captain Siddhesh Lad and vice-captain Ayush Mhatre will lead a young Mumbai side into the new Ranji Trophy season as the 42-time champions begin their campaign against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.
But as a unit, we want to embrace that pressure rather than run away from it. “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.
We understand the history and culture that come with representing Mumbai, and we are looking forward to the season,” Lad said.
However, the captain believes the squad must embrace the pressure rather than be weighed down by the team’s illustrious history. The 34-year-old Lad acknowledged the expectations that come with representing Mumbai, one of the most successful teams in Indian domestic cricket. Lad, who has scored more than 5,600 runs in First-Class cricket, will be an important figure in the middle order. He played a key role for Mumbai during the 2025-26 season and will now shoulder added responsibility as captain. Mumbai squad for first Ranji Trophy 2026-27 match
“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,” Mhatre said.
