Manav Suthar named Rajasthan captain for first two Ranji Trophy matches

Jaipur: Promising young talent Manav Suthar, who has made a striking impression at the national level and recently represented India in Test cricket, has been appointed captain of the Rajasthan team for the opening two matches of the upcoming Ranji Trophy season 2026-27. The announcement was made on Saturday as the senior selection committee named a 15-member squad.Armed with sharp composure, exceptional left-arm spin, and a proven ability to perform under pressure, Manav represents the bright future of Rajasthan cricket. His deputy will be Mahipal Lomror, the team's most experienced batter, providing seasoned guidance in the leadership core.The squad faces significant bowling challenges heading into the initial rounds. Veteran left-arm pacer Aniket Choudhary, long considered the backbone of Rajasthan’s seam attack, will miss the first two fixtures as he recovers from a knee injury. Although he has resumed bowling, he remains below 100% fitness and is slated to return by the third match. This marks the first time in his career that the 36-year-old seamer is missing out on the opening two red-ball games of a domestic season.Adding to the seam department's woes, key bowler Khaleel Ahmed is currently undergoing rehabilitation following an injury sustained during the last IPL. Meanwhile, the absence of premier pacer Deepak Chahar continues to be linked to his reluctance to feature in the longer format of the game.The selected players will gather for a preparatory camp starting Oct 4 at the RCA Academy. Rajasthan kick off their campaign against Tamil Nadu at the Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Stadium from Oct 11, followed by a clash against Railways from Oct 18.Squad (First 2 matches): Manav Suthar (C), Mahipal Lomror (VC), Rohan Rajbar, Sachin Yadav, Sumit Godara, Kartik Sharma, Karan Lamba, Anshul Gadhwal, Mukul Choudhary (WK), Ajay Kookna, Aakash Singh, Chetan Sharma, Hemant Choudhary, Danish Bhamboo, Darshan Jain (WK).Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.