Mumbai flexed its muscles in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match against Hyderabad. At Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, Mumbai posted a massive 560 all out. This came thanks to Sarfaraz Khan’s double century and Siddhesh Lad’s century.
The performance on January 22, 2026, cemented Mumbai’s lead in the table with 24 points. Hyderabad, sitting on 13 points, now needs wins for quarterfinal hopes.
Sarfaraz Khan’s Unforgettable Double Ton
Sarfaraz Khan, batting at No. 5, delivered a match-defining 227 off 219 balls (19 fours, 9 sixes). It was his first double ton of the Ranji season. This is his 18th first-class hundred overall. He finished day one on 142 not out, a solid start. But he wasn’t done.
He dominated the attack. This included India pacer Mohammed Siraj, playing his first Ranji game this season. Sarfaraz scored 45 runs off 39 balls from Siraj alone. That showed his ability against top-quality pace bowling. Hyderabad dropped him on 54 when Sai Nitin Yadav fumbled a catch near the mid-wicket boundary off Rohit Rayudu.
This knock makes a strong case for national selection. Sarfaraz hasn’t been in India’s Test side since November 2024. India’s red-ball struggles post-Border-Gavaskar Trophy have been noted. Captain Shubman Gill recently spoke about Test regulars needing Ranji Trophy game time. This innings from Sarfaraz puts pressure on Ajit Agarkar’s committee and Gautam Gambhir. He earned his Test cap on the 2024 England tour. But he missed recent chances.
Mumbai’s Batting Feast and Early Jitters
Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad also kept his prolific form going. He struck his fourth century of the season. Lad made 104 off 179 balls, including 10 fours and 2 sixes. He got a life on 16. Nitish Reddy at first slip dropped him off Siraj. These dropped catches really cost Hyderabad.
Mumbai’s innings started with openers Akash Anand (35) and Akhil Herwadkar (27) adding 60 runs. But then Mumbai slumped to 86/3. That’s when Sarfaraz and Lad took over. Their partnership rescued the innings. Day one ended at 332/4. Mumbai then pushed past 500 on Day 2, reaching 560 all out. Atharva Ankolekar added a quick 35 not out off 22 balls at the end. Rohit Rayudu grabbed two wickets for Hyderabad.
Spin Woes Plague Mumbai Amidst Dominance
Mumbai’s strong batting performance contrasts with a growing crisis in their bowling department. They lost key spinners before the match. Shams Mulani was ruled out due to blood in urine and back pain, possibly kidney stones. Off-spinner Tanush Kotian went home with a hand injury. This left Mumbai short on spin options.
The situation worsened on Day 2. Atharva Ankolekar, brought in as a replacement, injured himself fielding on the boundary. He was stretchered off. He’s doubtful to bowl now. This leaves Mumbai with no specialist spinners. An MCA source confirmed the issue, stating the BCCI’s replacement rules are strict.
“The problem is that as per the BCCI’s ‘serious injury replacement’ rules, only a like-for-like replacement can be allowed for Ankolekar from the squad. We don’t have any spinner in the squad now,” an MCA source told the Times of India.
Mulani is undergoing tests in Mumbai. This is a big problem for Mumbai as the match continues.
Hyderabad Faces Pressure, Sarfaraz’s National Ambitions
Hyderabad won the toss and elected to field. A decision that backfired. They now face a daunting task. They need to win this match and their final game to keep quarterfinal hopes alive. Hyderabad and Rajasthan both sit on 13 points in Group B. Jammu & Kashmir is second with 20 points. Mumbai leads with 24.
Sarfaraz’s performance reignites talk about his Test future. He scored 303 runs at a 190.56 strike rate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Now this double ton. He’s putting up big numbers, sending a clear signal. This is a domestic purple patch for him.
Hindustan Times reported how this pressures the selectors. The Ranji Trophy, India’s premier domestic first-class tournament, is important for national team spots. Shubman Gill stressed how Test regulars should play in these matches to prepare. That’s what Sarfaraz is doing. For more details on the tournament, you can check the Ranji Trophy page.
No confirmed updates on Hyderabad’s reply yet. Mumbai has a commanding lead. But their spin attack is severely hampered. This could impact their ability to push for an outright win. We’ll see how they manage their bowling in the coming days. The match is far from over.
Sagnik Banerjee 
Priyanjan Paul 
Govind Singh