Shardul Thakur (IANS Photo)
he has yet to regain full match fitness Although the 34-year-old has resumed training with the Mumbai squad. They began with an innings-and-155-run win over Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium before defeating Himachal Pradesh by an innings and 97 runs in Bilaspur. Haryana, meanwhile, have also won their opening two matches, setting up a meeting between the top two teams in Elite Group D.
Mumbai have decided against rushing Thakur back into action and are set to field the same squad that secured a comprehensive victory over Himachal Pradesh in Bilaspur in their previous outing, according to cricinfo. Mumbai’s bid to extend their winning run in the Ranji Trophy will have to continue without the services of experienced all-rounder Shardul Thakur, who remains short of full fitness following a finger injury. Mumbai have made a dominant start to their campaign, but will be without one of their key players when they take on Haryana in an Elite Group D clash at the BKC Complex from Monday. Thakur has been sidelined since sustaining the injury during a training session ahead of the season’s opening round. He was initially expected to miss at least the first two rounds, with the team hopeful of having him available for the Haryana fixture. Mumbai will look to maintain that momentum as they prepare for a tougher challenge against another in-form side. Mumbai will also be without vice-captain Ayush Mhatre, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, while opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is in New Zealand ahead of the upcoming Test series after featuring in the India A series.