Mumbai’s shocking exit from the Ranji Trophy on Saturday seemed to have brought to light the bleak future of city cricket, according to coach Sulakshan Kulkarni.

Sulakshan Kulkarni

Mumbai, a team in transition with several senior players either injured, on national duty or retired recently, went on to lose their quarter-final against Maharashtra by eight wickets on Saturday despite getting a first innings lead at the Wankhede Stadium.

The last time Mumbai failed to qualify for a Ranji Trophy semi-final was in 2001 against Punjab at the same venue. The senior team’s failure in the quarter-final was the final blow for Mumbai this season after all its junior teams were knocked out in the league stages.