Mumbai's Spin Department Hit by Injury Crisis in Ranji Trophy Clash
Mumbai's spin bowling resources have been severely depleted in their ongoing Ranji Trophy away match against Hyderabad, creating a challenging situation for the team. A series of unfortunate events has left the squad with just one available spinner, testing their depth and strategy in this crucial domestic fixture.
Ankolekar's Devastating Injury Forces Early Exit
Young left-arm spinner Atharva Ankolekar suffered a bad leg injury while fielding on the boundary on Friday, forcing him to leave the field on a stretcher. Medical assessments have confirmed that Ankolekar has torn his ligament, ruling him out of action for the remainder of the domestic season. This development has significantly impacted Mumbai's bowling options in the match.
BCCI Rules Dictate Pacer Replacement
According to sources within the Mumbai Cricket Association, the team faced a difficult decision due to BCCI regulations on serious injury replacements. "Ankolekar has torn his ligament and is ruled out of action for the rest of the domestic season. He will be replaced by pacer Onkar Tarmale in the XI for this match," a source revealed. "Since the BCCI rules on 'Serious Injury Replacement' allow for the substitute to be only from the 15-man squad, we had no choice but to replace a spinner with a pacer, as there are no additional spinners left in the squad now."
Onkar Tarmale Set for First-Class Debut
The 23-year-old pacer Onkar Tarmale, who hails from Shere in Shahapur Taluka approximately 60 kilometers from Mumbai, will make his first-class debut on Saturday. Tarmale has previously played four List A matches for Mumbai in the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy, gaining valuable limited-overs experience. Interestingly, Tarmale was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL-2026 auction last November for Rs 30 lakhs, highlighting his emerging talent.
Multiple Spin Setbacks Before the Match
The injury crisis began even before the match started. Off-spinning allrounder Tanush Kotian had to return from Hyderabad due to a hand injury, reducing Mumbai's spin options. Additionally, senior left-arm spinning allrounder Shams Mulani was ruled out on the morning of the match due to a "urine issue." Ankolekar was rushed in as Mulani's replacement, contributing significantly with the bat by scoring 35 not out off just 22 balls, including five fours and a six, as Mumbai piled up 560 runs largely thanks to Sarfaraz Khan's superb double century of 227 off 219 balls.
Medical Concerns for Multiple PlayersFurther complicating matters, Mulani's condition appears more serious than initially thought. Sources indicate that Mulani had blood in his urine and was experiencing severe back pain, forcing his withdrawal on Day One morning. "Mulani has returned to Mumbai and has undergone a few tests to determine if he is suffering from a urine infection or kidney stones," a source explained. Meanwhile, Ankolekar's participation in the match remains uncertain as he undergoes hospital tests, with the team management awaiting clarity on his condition.
Strategic Implications for Mumbai
This spin crisis presents significant strategic challenges for Mumbai:
- Limited bowling variety against Hyderabad's batting lineup
- Increased workload on remaining bowlers
- Potential impact on match outcome and points
- Long-term implications for Mumbai's domestic season
The situation underscores the importance of squad depth in domestic cricket, particularly in long-format tournaments like the Ranji Trophy where injuries can dramatically alter team compositions and strategies mid-match.
