Shreyas Iyer to Captain Mumbai in Final Vijay Hazare Matches

Shreyas Iyer will captain Mumbai in their final two league matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 after regular skipper Shardul Thakur was ruled out with a calf injury, the Mumbai Cricket Association announced Monday. The 31-year-old batter, returning from a three-month layoff due to a spleen injury, joins the squad in Jaipur for games against Himachal Pradesh on January 6 and Punjab on January 8.

Thakur sustained the injury during Mumbai's 128-run defeat to Maharashtra on Saturday, which snapped their unbeaten run in Elite Group C. Maharashtra posted 366 for four after electing to bat in foggy conditions, powered by opener Arshin Kulkarni's second List A century of 114 off 114 balls, including 11 fours and three sixes. He shared a 140-run opening stand with Prithvi Shaw's 71 off 75 balls. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad added 66 off 52 deliveries, partnering Kulkarni for 108 runs in a crucial third-wicket alliance. Ramakrishna Ghosh provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 64 off 27 balls, featuring five sixes.

Mumbai's fielding faltered, with more than five catches dropped, and Thakur limped off after bowling just six overs. In reply, Mumbai collapsed to 238 all out in 42 overs....