Mumbai have received a timely boost ahead of their Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Karnataka with fit-again India pacer Shardul Thakur and Test opener Yashasvi Jaiswal returning to the squad.
Thakur will lead Mumbai in the crucial February 6-9 fixture at the MCA-BKC ground.
Thakur has recovered from the calf injury he suffered during the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Jaipur last month and began bowling in the Mumbai nets on the eve of their last league match against Delhi recently.
He has played five Ranji matches this season, claiming 10 wickets. Meanwhile, Jaiswal has scored 67 and 156 in his lone Ranji appearance this season against Rajasthan in Jaipur last November.
Off-spin bowling all-rounder Tanush Kotian, who missed the last two Ranji league matches due to a hand injury, has also returned to the 16-member squad.
“With the return of Shardul, Yashasvi and Tanush, the Mumbai team will become stronger as they are very experienced cricketers,” Mumbai Cricket Association secretary Dr Unmesh Khanvilkar told mid-day on Monday.
Karnataka, who have won the premier domestic tournament eight times, comprises Test players such as captain Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul and Prasidh Krishna.
