Ayush Mhatre named Mumbai vice-captain for 2026–27 Ranji Trophy season

Ayush Mhatre has been named Mumbai’s vice-captain for the 2026–27 Ranji Trophy season, taking on a leadership role for the 42-time champions.

“It’s a really good opportunity for me,” Mhatre said, calling the job both demanding and a proud moment. He said senior members of the Mumbai squad had included and supported him on the field as he moves into the leadership group.

The batter said a key lesson came from former India captain MS Dhoni, his Chennai Super Kings teammate: stay calm before making decisions. “Anger lasts for five minutes, but when you calm down, you can think better and make the right decision for the team,” Mhatre said.

Mhatre has also been preparing for the longer demands of red-ball cricket, which he said require players to negotiate swing in the morning and turn later in the day. During the break, he worked on patience, selecting the right ball to play and small technical adjustments. His stated focus for the season is straightforward: score runs for Mumbai.