Mumbai captain Shardul Thakur has strongly endorsed the current structure of the domestic cricket calendar, stating it has introduced a crucial balance for players frequently transitioning between different formats of the game. His comments came on the back of Mumbai's dominant innings-and-122-run victory over Pondicherry at the Wankhede Stadium.
Workload Management and Mental Freshness
Thakur emphasized that the scheduled break between the two phases of the Ranji Trophy has been instrumental in helping players manage their physical workload and maintain mental sharpness. He acknowledged that continuous red-ball cricket is exceptionally demanding on the body. "There would always be mixed views on it, but personally I am okay with it… to play ten games in a row is tough on the body," Thakur told PTI. He pointed out that this spaced-out fixture list is in line with practices followed by other major cricket systems around the world.
The Advantage of Switching Formats
The Indian all-rounder highlighted a significant benefit of the current setup: the ability to switch formats mid-season. He explained that without this mix, a player could be stuck playing just one format for months, making the subsequent transition difficult. "Otherwise, you are just playing one format for three months and then suddenly, white-ball cricket and then red-ball cricket is lost," Thakur said. He believes the present structure allows cricketers to stay connected to both the red-ball and white-ball games effectively.
He elaborated on the ideal rhythm provided by the schedule: "So, it's good that we are playing five games and we have a bit of a break. Then we play white-ball tournament, and then again move to red-ball cricket." For the players who are logging consistent appearances in First-Class cricket throughout the year, this pause to play white-ball cricket has been even more valuable.
Performance Over Age in Selection
Shifting focus to team composition, Thakur addressed the role of experienced players in the Mumbai setup, firmly stating that age should not be a factor in selection. "There is no rule anywhere that only youngsters can play cricket and once you are over 30, you can't play," he asserted. He credited seasoned campaigners like Siddhesh Lad and Akhil Herwadkar, both of whom are over 30, for their pivotal roles in shaping Mumbai's second consecutive innings victory.
Thakur stressed that performance remains the only metric that truly matters. "This sport is as much about fitness as it is about skills. At the end of the day, what matters is wickets and runs," he stated unequivocally. To illustrate why young players also need strong backing, he recalled Shreyas Iyer's early days with the Mumbai team. "If you remember, when Shreyas Iyer came to the Mumbai team in 2013 or 2014, he failed in the first two matches. But then, he made 70, and a 150," Thakur said, adding that Iyer has consistently delivered for Mumbai ever since.
He also expressed his disappointment that a proven match-winner like Siddhesh Lad did not get an opportunity at the highest level, noting that "when there is a match winner player, his age is not taken into account." In a final note, Thakur confirmed that his impending move to the Mumbai Indians for the IPL 2026 season feels like a timely homecoming, stating, "Everyone likes to play in the home venue… I think finally the time has come."
