The Under-19 Selection Committee of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), comprising Mr. Ravi Kulkarni (Chairman), Mr. Prashant Sawant, Mr. Zulfiqar Parkar, Mr. Amit Dani and Mr. Umesh Gotkhindkar, has announced three squads for the Under-19 K.C. Mahindra Shield 2025-26. Among those selected is Powai-based batsman Shivam Kothari, who has been named in the Yajuvindra Singh XI.
Kothari, 18, is a right-hand opening batsman and right-arm offspinner who began his cricketing journey at the Vengsarkar Cricket Academy, Oval Maidan. He also toured the United Kingdom with the academy in 2023. In recent years, he has been training under coach Bhavin Thakkar at the New Hind Sporting Club, Matunga, and has represented clubs in MCA tournaments including the Kanga League and Purshottam Shield.
He has also featured in the MCA U-19 Bahama Trophy, where he scored 83 runs and was named player of the match, and in the Naren Tamhane Trophy selection tournament, where he struck an unbeaten 79.
For the upcoming tournament, the Yajuvindra Singh XI will be coached by Siddhesh Ramani. The fixtures begin on 7th October 2025 at the Dilip Vengsarkar Oval, with the final scheduled between 27th and 29th October 2025.
MCA Secretary Abhay Hadap and Joint Secretary Deepak Patil confirmed that all players are required to report at 8:30 am on match days.
