Lad says he respects selectors’ decision after Suryakumar Yadav omitted from Mumbai squad

Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad said in Mumbai on Thursday that he respects the selectors’ decision after Suryakumar Yadav was omitted from Mumbai’s squad for the Ranji Trophy opener against Chandigarh. "Surya has been a fantastic player for Mumbai cricket. He has done a lot for Mumbai cricket over the years and also to the Indian team; he is a World Cup-winning captain," Lad said at the pre-season press conference.

Lad has been named captain of Mumbai for the first time and will lead a side aiming to add to the team’s 42 titles. He is returning from a shoulder injury suffered during the T20 Mumbai League final. Vice-captain Ayush Mhatre, the youngest member of the squad, is also on the comeback trail after tearing his left hamstring in April during IPL 2026 and missing the second half of that tournament.

"In our group, there is tremendous respect for Surya. Whatever decisions are being taken by the management and the selectors, they feel is right at this moment. I want to respect it as a captain. I am sure whoever is in the contention and preparing well for the season, will be always in the reckoning. But I don’t want to go beyond the selectors," Lad said when asked about Suryakumar Yadav’s omission.

Mhatre described his preparation after rehabilitation: "I was at CoE for three months, so the preparation is going really well. I have also played some practice games at (the) CCI and BLC, so it was really good for us to spend some time on the ground. We are well prepared now," he said.

The 34-year-old Lad outlined the steps taken to regain match readiness, saying he worked at BKC with Mumbai’s support staff and obtained match time through simulations and the Kanga League. "Mine was a shoulder dislocation. Then I spent some time at BKC. We have got back-up physios and trainers who worked really hard on me," he said, adding: "Coming back is not so easy, especially playing at the Ranji Trophy level. But right now, I am trying to find the right rhythm and taking one day at a time".

Mumbai will begin their Ranji Trophy campaign against Chandigarh, with Siddhesh Lad set to captain the side in that opener.