After facing Puducherry and Meghalaya for the first time last season, the heavyweight will encounter another unfamiliar opponent when it takes on Chandigarh in the Ranji Trophy season opener at the Wankhede Stadium here on Sunday. An expanding domestic calendar has brought a new set of opponents into Mumbai’s path over the years.
Ayush Mhatre, meanwhile, will be keen to justify his elevation as vice-captain. The youngster is being groomed for a leadership role alongside Siddhesh Lad, who takes charge as Mumbai’s full-time captain.
When Lad first captained Mumbai in the 2018-19 season, Vinayak Samant was the team’s head coach. There is an intriguing subplot, too. Chandigarh captain Manan Vohra and Samant will have their work cut out against a Mumbai side familiar to the venue and the weight of its history. With a relatively inexperienced squad, the visitor will need to withstand the early pressure and find a way to challenge the host.
Samant, appointed Chandigarh coach only three days before the opener, now returns to the Wankhede in the opposition dugout.