The Ranji Trophy quarter-finals promise fireworks, none bigger than Mumbai’s renewed assault on Karnataka from February 6 at MCA-BKC Ground. Spearheading this revival is Shardul Thakur, reclaiming captaincy post-calf injury recovery, alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal’s eagerly awaited comeback to first-class cricket.
With 42 titles in their cabinet, Mumbai enters as favorites bolstered by these returns, challenging Karnataka’s eight championships. Thakur’s versatile skills and Jaiswal’s boundary-hitting prowess could tilt the scales in a pulsating knockout.
Thakur, back after Vijay Hazare troubles, bowled fluently in practice, set to guide the team. Jaiswal, dormant since November’s 67 and 156 against Rajasthan, eyes consistency amid international buzz.
Karnataka’s lineup dazzles with captain Devdutt Padikkal, veterans Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul, plus Prasidh Krishna’s pace threat.
Mumbai navigated pollution issues in their Delhi fixture via masks; enhanced protections are assured now. Parallel quarter-finals feature Jharkhand-Uttarakhand (Keenan Stadium, Jamshedpur), MP-J&K (Holkar, Indore), and Bengal-Andhra (BCKA Ground, Kalyani).
Squad details: Thakur (c), Jaiswal, Musheer Khan, Herwadkar, Lad, Sarfaraz, Anand (wk), Tamore (wk), Patil, Mulani, Kotian, Deshpande, Awasthi, Tarmale, Saxena, Shedge— a potent mix for glory.