Mumbai will enter the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season under new leadership, with experienced batter Siddhesh Lad set to replace all-rounder Shardul Thakur as captain. The Mumbai Cricket Association made the change primarily for workload management.
As per a report by the Times of India, Selection Committee chairman Rajesh Pawar confirmed that Thakur, a key match-winner expected to bowl substantial overs while contributing with the bat, will be eased of captaincy duties to avoid overburdening him across the long domestic season.
Siddhesh Lad to lead Mumbai in 2026-27 Ranji Trophy, replacing Shardul Thakur
Speaking of the development, Pawar told TOI:
“Yes, we’ve decided to appoint Siddhesh as our captain for the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season.”
Speaking of Shardul, Pawar, as per the aforementioned source, added:
“There is already too much workload on him as he’s expected to bowl a lot of overs, take wickets and contribute with the bat as well. We don’t want to burden him with the responsibility of captaincy.”
Lad earned the role after an outstanding 2025-26 campaign in which he scored 774 runs in eight matches at an average of 77.40, including five centuries. The 34-year-old, who previously stepped in as captain during Thakur’s absences, brings continuity and strong domestic form.
This marks the second successive captaincy change for the 42-time champions. Thakur had taken over from Ajinkya Rahane for the previous season, guiding Mumbai to the quarter-finals. The new Ranji Trophy campaign is scheduled to begin in mid-October, with Mumbai opening against Chandigarh.
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