Shardul Thakur injury update: Mumbai all-rounder to miss Haryana Ranji Trophy match

Mumbai's bid to extend their winning run in the Ranji Trophy will have to continue without the services of experienced all-rounder Shardul Thakur, who remains short of full fitness following a finger injury. Mumbai have made a dominant start to their campaign, but will be without one of their key players when they take on Haryana in an Elite Group D clash at the BKC Complex from Monday. Thakur has been sidelined since sustaining the injury during a training session ahead of the season's opening round. Although the 34-year-old has resumed training with the Mumbai squad, he has yet to regain full match fitness. He was initially expected to miss at least the first two rounds, with the team hopeful of having him available for the Haryana fixture.

Mumbai decide against rushing Thakur's return

Mumbai have decided against rushing Thakur back into action and are set to field the same squad that secured a comprehensive victory over Himachal Pradesh in Bilaspur in their previous outing, according to cricinfo. Thakur last featured in the Duleep Trophy quarter-final for West Zone against North Zone in late August. He bowled 14 overs, picked up one wicket and scored 10 runs in his only innings as West Zone suffered a 54-run defeat. While continuing his recovery and working towards a return to competitive cricket, Thakur is also set to take up commentary duties for some of India's ongoing T20 Internationals against New Zealand.

Mumbai ride on dominant start to Ranji campaign

Mumbai have made an impressive start to their Ranji Trophy campaign, registering consecutive innings victories to collect 14 points and move to the top of Elite Group D. They began with an innings-and-155-run win over Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium before defeating Himachal Pradesh by an innings and 97 runs in Bilaspur. Mumbai will look to maintain that momentum as they prepare for a tougher challenge against another in-form side.

Mumbai will also be without vice-captain Ayush Mhatre, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, while opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is in New Zealand ahead of the upcoming Test series after featuring in the India A series. Haryana, meanwhile, have also won their opening two matches, setting up a meeting between the top two teams in Elite Group D.