Forty one-time Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai are all set to start their campaign against Madhya Pradesh in Indore from Saturday. However, this time the Aditya Tare-led Mumbai team will be burdened by the absence of Shreyas Iyer, Shardul Thakur, Dhawal Kulkarni and teenage sensation Prithvi Shaw, all of whom will be away on India 'A' duty. However, Jai Bista, who scored a double century for Mumbai against Tamil Nadu at Thirunelveli in the Col CK Nayudu Trophy on Sunday makes a comeback to the Ranji team. "Though we will miss four to five senior cricketers, it's a good opportunity for the fringe players to stake their claim for a place in the XI," Tare told mid-day yesterday.

Aditya Tare