Vijay Hazare Trophy: Mumbai sweats over the fitness of Shardul, Sarfaraz

A big defeat against Maharashtra has made things difficult for Mumbai. Having won its first four games, the domestic giant needed an outright win to storm into the knockouts of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

However, following the 128-run defeat, its Net Run Rate has taken a beating, and Mumbai not only needs to win at least one of its two remaining games, but also better its NRR.

However, ahead of the two crucial games—against Himachal Pradesh and Punjab—the side sweats over the fitness of its captain Shardul Thakur, who underwent a scan on Saturday, following a calf injury.

While sources indicate that the Mumbai captain remains doubtful for Tuesday’s game against Himachal, there are fitness concerns for Sarfaraz Khan, too. Sarfaraz missed out on the game against Maharashtra after experiencing pain in quadriceps, and also underwent scans.

After bowling just six overs against Maharashtra, Shardul limped off the ground, and even though he walked out to bat later in the day, the Mumbai captain looked uncomfortable and could last for just five deliveries.

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Sources told  Sportstar that he has been advised to rest by the doctors. But even if he misses the game against Himachal, Shardul will stay back in Jaipur and will be monitored regularly by the team doctors, and depending on his recovery, a call will be made about his future availability.

Shardul has been Mumbai’s bowling mainstay, claiming 11 wickets in five games. While most of the bowlers have struggled assessing the batting-friendly surfaces in Jaipur, Shardul has been a consistent performer for the team. Sarfaraz, meanwhile, has been among the leading scorers for Mumbai, amassing 220 runs in three innings.

However, in a huge boost for Mumbai, India internationals Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube will join the squad by Monday and are expected to be available for the next couple of games.

Published on Jan 04, 2026