Mumbai will be without star all-rounder Shivam Dubey in the opening match of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season against Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar. The 31-year-old player had to be ruled out of the team due to back stiffness and returned to Mumbai on Tuesday evening for treatment.
Shardul Thakur has been appointed Mumbai captain for the Ranji Trophy season, replacing Ajinkya Rahane, who stepped down from the leadership role.
Sarfaraz Khan, who missed the recent home Test series against West Indies due to a quadriceps injury, has returned to strengthen the batting order.
Shivam Dubey ruled out of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy 2025-26 opener
Shivam Dubey has been ruled out of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy opener against Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar due to back stiffness.
According to The Indian Express, Dubey initially traveled with the team, but the medical staff advised him to return to Mumbai as a precaution.
The all-rounder, who remains a key member of India’s T20I squad, is expected to regain full fitness ahead of the upcoming five-match T20I series in Australia, after the ODI phase ends on October 23.
“He flew with the team, but his back got stiff due to the cold weather. The medical team advised him to take rest, so he flew back to Mumbai on Tuesday,” a Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) source told the publication.
Mumbai has been placed in Elite Group D along with Delhi, Rajasthan, Hyderabad and Jammu and Kashmir
Mumbai is optimistic that Shivam Dubey will recover in time to join the Indian team for the Australia tour on October 23. The all-rounder, who played a key role in India’s recent Asia Cup win, is an integral part of the national T20 setup, while also playing regularly in domestic red-ball cricket.
Mumbai missed the knockout stage by a narrow margin last season and will be looking to bounce back after an unexpected defeat to Jammu and Kashmir on home soil last year.
The team has been placed in Elite Group D along with Delhi, Rajasthan, Hyderabad and Jammu and Kashmir. It is noteworthy that the 91st edition of Ranji Trophy is starting from Wednesday 15th October.
Will Shivam Dubey be ready for India’s tour of Australia?
Shivam Dubey played a decisive role in India’s Asia Cup 2025 win. He opened the bowling and bowled a disciplined spell of three overs, conceding only 23 runs during the final match. Dubey played a quick inning of 33 runs in 22 balls, which was important in helping India reach the successful target of 147 runs.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav trusted Dubey as a regular bowling option throughout the tournament and the all-rounder repaid that faith by taking five wickets. His all-round performance played a vital role in the title-winning campaign.
The report says that there is no major concern regarding his fitness. Dubey is expected to make a full recovery and join the team for the upcoming T20 series starting October 29 in Australia.
Also read: Gautam Gambhir snatched the title of ‘Prince’ from Shubman Gill, handed it over to someone else