Ranji Trophy: Mumbai's next match moved to Wankhede Stadium on Shardul Thakur's request

Shardul Thakur. Pic/AFP

Forty-two-time Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai will play their next match against Puducherry (from November 16) at the Wankhede Stadium instead of at the Bandra Kurla Complex facility of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), as scheduled earlier.

The change was initiated by the Mumbai team management. "The captain [Shardul Thakur] requested to play at the Wankhede. Mumbai is blessed to have two to three world-class facilities within the city. So, the team management wanted to play at the Wankhede for their next game and we have allotted it accordingly," MCA secretary Abhay Hadap told mid-day.

Mumbai are placed first in Elite Group D with 16 points from four games. They beat Jammu & Kashmir outright in their opening encounter before claiming a first innings lead against Chhattisgarh. Mumbai failed to take first innings advantage against Rajasthan, while they outclassed Himachal Pradesh by an innings and 120 runs at BKC on Monday.

Puducherry are placed seventh in the group with five points in four games. Mumbai will have to negate Puducherry's spin threat from skipper Sagar Udeshi and India Test cricketer Jayant Yadav to emerge triumphant.