Shivam Dube, the dynamic India and Mumbai allrounder, has been withdrawn from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season opener against Jammu & Kashmir due to back stiffness. The 31-year-old flew back to Mumbai from Srinagar on Tuesday evening in what is understood to be a precautionary step, considering his inclusion in India’s T20I squad for the upcoming Australia tour starting October 23.
Shivam Dube Prioritizing Recovery Ahead of Crucial T20I Series
Resting Shivam Dube is tied to his increasing significance for India’s white-ball team. His recent performances in the 2025 Asia Cup have turned him into a precious jewel. Dube impressed in the final against Pakistan with an all-around display bowling three tight overs (0/23) in the powerplay and scoring a crucial 33 off 22 balls to enable India to win a nerve-wracking encounter.
With an upcoming five-match T20I series against Australia, team management would rather ensure Dube remains fit and raring to go. His non-participation in the Ranji opener is a precautionary measure and not a sign of an immediate injury.
Mumbai Bolsters Squad Despite Dube’s Non-Appearance
Whereas Shivam Dube will be missing the opener, Mumbai’s team gets a boost as Musheer Khan returns from the injury he suffered in a road accident in the Ranji season previous to that of the current year, when he got hurt in his neck and collarbone.
Sarfaraz Khan also returns, being back in the running after overcoming a quadriceps injury that had kept him out of action in the recent India vs West Indies Test series.
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India allrounder Shardul Thakur will captain the Mumbai team this season, taking over from Ajinkya Rahane. Rahane is still a key member of the team and is likely to play an important role in the campaign. The veteran has been training since July, even bringing training equipment to the UK when he was on media duty covering India’s Test tour, as revealed on a Sky Sports podcast.
Group D Outlook: Mumbai Eyeing Redemption
Mumbai, runners-up in last season’s Ranji Trophy, are in Group D with:
Jammu & Kashmir
Hyderabad
Delhi
Puducherry
Himachal Pradesh
Rajasthan
Chhattisgarh
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Their first outing of the season against J&K is being hyped as a replay of last year’s group-stage loss, when Mumbai went down by five wickets at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).
Key Takeaways
Shivam Dube out of Ranji opener with back stiffness; returns to Mumbai.
Move is precautionary before India’s T20I series in Australia.
Dube stood out in the 2025 Asia Cup final against Pakistan.
Mumbai invites back Musheer Khan and Sarfaraz Khan from injury.
Shardul Thakur appointed captain for the season, taking the place of Ajinkya Rahane.
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