I respect the selectors’ decision: Lad on Suyakumar’s omission

Captain Siddhesh Lad has distanced himself from Suryakumar Yadav’s omission from the Mumbai squad for the Ranji Trophy opener against Chandigarh.

“Surya has been a fantastic player for Mumbai cricket. He has done a lot for Mumbai cricket over the years and also to the Indian team; he is a World Cup-winning captain,” Lad said at the pre-season press conference here on Thursday.

“In our group, there is tremendous respect for Surya. Whatever decisions are being taken by the management and the selectors, they feel is right at this moment. I want to respect it as a captain. I am sure whoever is in the contention and preparing well for the season, will be always in the reckoning. But I don’t want to go beyond the selectors.”

Lad, named captain for the first time, will lead Mumbai’s quest to add to its 42 titles so far. He is coming back from a shoulder injury suffered during the T20 Mumbai League final, while vice-captain Ayush Mhatre is also returning after tearing his left hamstring in April during IPL 2026.

Mhatre, the youngest member of the squad, missed the second half of the IPL. He subsequently spent three months at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru before regaining fitness.

“I was at CoE for three months, so the preparation is going really well. I have also played some practice games at (the) CCI and BLC, so it was really good for us to spend some time on the ground. We are well prepared now,” Mhatre said.

Lad’s own return has been more gradual. The 34-year-old worked at BKC with Mumbai’s support staff before getting match time through simulations and the Kanga League.

“Mine was a shoulder dislocation. Then I spent some time at BKC. We have got back-up physios and trainers who worked really hard on me,” he said.

“Coming back is not so easy, especially playing at the Ranji Trophy level. But right now, I am trying to find the right rhythm and taking one day at a time”.