The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy which is set to begin on the 4th of November has faced a massive setback. According to the reports of TOI, 4 players of the Mumbai senior team: Sarfaraz Khan, Shams Mulani, Prashant Solanki, and Sairaj Patil returned a positive report on Wednesday morning. The MCA official told TOI, that they had conducted a test on the players on Tuesday night before they were to leave for Guwahati, where they would have joined the team bubble. The reports however came in the next morning and the players were averted from joining the team. Rather they were sent back home and are all set to miss the league stage of the game. While those players who tested negative have already left for the event.
The official added, “This is a big blow to us. All these four players are our top-line players, who would’ve probably played in the first XI. However, our preparation has been thorough, with many players getting a chance to prove themselves in match situations.” It is believed that the team management has already roped in the replacements for the squad, and is waiting for them to join the team after clearing the mandatory RTPCR.
Till the replacements arrive, the Ajinkya Rahane led side will proceed with their reduced squad of 16 players. They still have players like Shivam Dube, Aditya Tare, and Prithvi Shaw, who will aid Rahane as vice-captain.
Mumbai is pooled in the Elite Group B, where they will be facing the likes of Karnataka, Services, Bengal Chhattisgarh, and Baroda.