Mumbai will look to maintain its momentum in the Ranji Trophy when it faces Himachal Pradesh at the Luhnu Cricket Ground from Sunday, having opened its campaign with a bonus-point victory over Chandigarh inside three days.
Himachal returns home after losing to Haryana, but familiar surroundings may offer little comfort. Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Suryansh Shedge have joined the squad. C.K. Nayudu Trophy, is likely to partner Divyaansh Saxena at the top. Shedge provides another option to a middle-order featuring Sarfaraz Khan, Musheer Khan and captain Siddhesh Lad. Captain Pukhraj Mann and the seasoned Nehal Wadhera will shoulder much of the batting responsibility as the host seeks a stronger showing. Akash Vasisth will be high on confidence after scoring a century against Haryana. Himachal must now find a way to challenge a formidable Mumbai side at a home ground that feels almost new to its players.
It has not played a First Class match at the picturesque venue in 25 years, and its relatively inexperienced bowling attack faces a formidable challenge. Raghuvanshi, fresh from consecutive double-centuries in the under-23 Col.