Mumbai is set to continue their Ranji Trophy journey against Hyderabad, led by Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium this Thursday. With three victories out of five matches, Mumbai currently sits atop Elite Group ‘D’ with 24 points.
Shams Mulani, the left-arm spin bowling all-rounder and Mumbai’s leading wicket-taker with 28 dismissals, believes that focusing on each session will be crucial in overcoming the Hyderabad team.
“I’m thrilled because red-ball cricket is my passion. I relish the endurance and strategic battles it brings. Our goal is to concentrate on winning each session; if we can conquer most of them, victory will follow,” Mulani shared in a phone interview from Hyderabad on Wednesday.
When asked about facing Siraj, Mulani remarked, “It’s a normal scenario for us since we often compete against players from the national team across various formats. This is simply another opportunity to challenge ourselves against an exceptional bowler. Excelling against one of India’s top bowlers will undoubtedly enhance our confidence, which is vital as we advance in the league and prepare for the knockouts.”
Last month, Mumbai faced a nine-wicket setback against Hyderabad in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in Pune, where Siraj took 3-17. However, Mulani dismissed the impact of that defeat, stating, “This is a different format. T20 can be highly unpredictable; any team can emerge victorious. Our main focus is on our own performance. We’ve been playing well and need to maintain that momentum.” Unfortunately, Mumbai will be without key players, including former captain Ajinkya Rahane (who has opted out), as well as injured players Shardul Thakur and off-spinner Tanush Kotian.