Ranji Trophy opens Oct 11: Mhatre is Mumbai vice-captain, Sooryavanshi on India duty

India's premier domestic first-class competition, the Ranji Trophy, begins its 2026-27 season on Sunday, October 11, 2026, and squad announcements this week have put young players in leading roles. Mumbai named Ayush Mhatre, who captained India to the Under-19 World Cup title, as vice-captain to Siddhesh Lad for their opener against Chandigarh at Wankhede Stadium from October 11 to 14, while leaving out senior batter Suryakumar Yadav even though he had declared himself available. In Bihar, teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will miss the side's first two matches because he is on India duty in the ongoing T20I series against the West Indies. Bihar open against Uttar Pradesh in Rajgir, the first Ranji Trophy match at the town's new international cricket stadium.

The Ranji Trophy is where most Indian Test cricketers are made. For young players, a strong first-class season is still the clearest route to the national side, and these early selections show state associations are willing to hand responsibility to teenagers and players in their early twenties.

Mumbai's choice is the most striking. Naming Ayush Mhatre as vice-captain signals that the state sees him as a future captain and wants him to learn the job early, alongside an experienced leader in Siddhesh Lad. Leaving out a player of Suryakumar Yadav's standing for the opener, in favour of younger options, sends a clear message that places must be earned in red-ball cricket.

Bihar's situation shows the other side of rapid progress. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's rise has been so fast that India's international calendar now takes priority over his state side. For Bihar, that means finding runs elsewhere at the start of the season. For Sooryavanshi, it shows how quickly the jump from age-group cricket to the senior India team can happen for an exceptional talent.

The Rajgir fixture also matters for cricket in the state. Hosting a Ranji match at a new international venue gives local players and fans first-class cricket close to home, which can help spot and develop more talent from the region.

Short-term: Young players such as Mhatre get early leadership experience, and Bihar must manage without Sooryavanshi for at least two matches.

Long-term: Selection choices that favour youth could speed up the next generation's path to India's Test side, and new venues like Rajgir can widen the base of first-class cricket.

Who is affected: Young domestic cricketers hoping for national selection, senior players competing for state places, the Mumbai and Bihar teams, and fans in Rajgir who get first-class cricket at home.

Questions and Answers