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Mumbai skipper Shardul Thakur .
| Photo Credit: File Photo: EMMANUAL YOGINI
After a much-needed win against Himachal Pradesh, Mumbai will move to the Wankhede Stadium for its next Ranji Trophy outing against Pondicherry, and captain Shardul Thakur believes that adaptability will be the key.
Since January 2024, Mumbai has played just twice at the Wankhede — in a group league fixture against Uttar Pradesh and the Ranji Trophy final last year — and preferred the MCA-BKC Ground as its ‘home base’.
But this time around, with the Mumbai Cricket Association allotting the next game to the iconic venue, the players need to regroup quickly. “There is not much difference in the soil at Wankhede. But in terms of ground conditions, we know that Wankhede has a sand-based (outfield). So, in terms of adaptation, that will be key for all 11 players when they are fielding,” Shardul said.
“They just need to be aware that the ground surface has changed. So whatever their individual preparations are, we just need to be prepared as a team while switching to sand-based ground from a normal ground.”
Despite being a consistent performer, an India-A berth has eluded Shams Mulani, but Shardul is confident that the spin-bowling all-rounder’s hard work will eventually pay off.
“India is a big country. We need to understand that only 15 people can play for India and only 15 people can play for India-A. That takes the count to 30. And we have got hundreds of good players in the country. So, he will get his due at some point. He just needs to be patient,” Shardul said.
Published – November 10, 2025 06:51 pm IST
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Mumbai players need to adapt to the ground condition at Wankhede: Shardul
