Ranji Trophy 2024: Shreyas Iyer to feature for Mumbai in Ranji Trophy semi-final

Mumbai's strength has been significantly augmented as India's middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer is reportedly joining the squad for their Ranji Trophy semi-final encounter against Tamil Nadu. Iyer had been sidelined from the tournament, owing to recurrent back spasms. Notably, Mumbai advanced to the semi-finals on Tuesday, February 27, following a draw against Baroda. The Ajinkya Rahane-led side will now square off against Tamil Nadu in the semi-final, getting underway on March 2.

Iyer missed Mumbai's last two Ranji Trophy fixtures due to back pain while batting. In addition, he participated in the first two Test matches between India and England in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, respectively, and made below-par scores of 35, 13, 27, and 29.

"Yes, Iyer has confirmed to the Mumbai Cricket Association that he is fit now and available for Mumbai's Ranji Trophy semi-final match," a source told Times of India.

Also read: Ranji Trophy 2024: Mumbai advance to semis after drawing the match to Baroda

In the interim, Tamil Nadu's lineup has been considerably bolstered by the return of India's off-spinning all-rounder Washington Sundar and Sai Sudharsan for their Ranji semi-final clash against Mumbai. According to a report in Times of India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to release Sundar from the Indian squad since the semi-final match will conclude on March 6 if it advances to the fifth day, and the fifth and final Test against England will only start on March 7 in Dharamshala. Sudharsan, on the other hand, was experiencing back spasms and the National Cricket Academy has given him clearance to resume playing, declaring him match-fit.

"He's (Sai Sudharsan) started batting, and will undergo match simulation today at the NCA in Bangalore. He will join the Tamil Nadu team soon," the source further revealed.

Mumbai reach Ranji Trophy semi-final after playing a draw with Baroda

The quarter-final clash played between Mumbai and Baroda at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai ended in a draw on Day 5. Even though the game ended in a draw, Mumbai's lead in the first innings determined their progression to the next round. Notably, Musheer Khan's 203* helped Mumbai to put up 384 on the board after winning the toss and electing to bat first. Meanwhile, Baroda's Bharagav Bhat showed promise with a phenomenal seven-wicket haul while the economical Ninad Rathva claimed three wickets. Baroda scored 348 runs in their first innings thanks to the efforts of Shashwat Rawat (124) and captain Vishnu Solanki (136), while left-arm orthodox Shams Mulani took four vital wickets.

Also read: Ranji Trophy 2024: Tushar Deshpande and Tanush Kotian score record-breaking tons against Baroda

Later on, opener Hardik Tamore fired all guns and stockpiled a solid 114 runs in the third innings. The match also saw a new record being set in the history of the Ranji Trophy as Mumbai's bowling spearheads Tushar Deshpande (123) and Tanush Kotian (120*) became only the second batting pair to score a century while batting at no. 10 and no. 11 in first-class cricket. Eventually, Mumbai scored 569, setting a target of 606. Bhatt was the hero in the third innings as well, having claimed his second seven-wicket haul in the same match. Meanwhile, Baroda's opener Priyanshu Moliya scored a half-century in the final innings before the game ended in a draw.