Mumbai’s journey to the knock-out stages of the Vijay Hazare Trophy has reportedly become increasingly complicated after a heavy defeat to Maharashtra and emerging fitness concerns around Sarfaraz Khan.
After winning their first four matches convincingly, Mumbai went into the clash against Maharashtra knowing that an emphatic victory would seal qualification. Instead, a crushing 128-run loss left the home heavyweights in a precarious position. The defeat not only dented their momentum but also dealt a major blow to their Net Run Rate (NRR), which now forces them into a must-win scenario in the closing stages of the group stage.
Mumbai now need to win at least one of their remaining two matches while improving their NRR to stay in contention for a knockout berth. With several teams tight on points, a win could have been decisive.
Adding to their concerns was the fitness concerns surrounding Sarfaraz, who missed the Maharashtra match after feeling pain in his quadriceps. The batter subsequently underwent scans, as reported by Sportstar, with his availability for the upcoming fixture yet to be confirmed. His absence was keenly felt given his strong form in the tournament so far.
Mumbai look for reinforcements amid pressure
Sarfaraz was one of Mumbai the most reliable batters of this seasonscoring 220 runs in three innings and anchoring the middle order. Any prolonged absence could significantly weaken Mumbai’s batting depth at a critical stage of the competition.
On the bowling front, Shardul Thakur was an outstanding performer. While most of the bowlers struggled on batting-friendly surfaces in Jaipur, Thakur continued to thrive, picking up 11 wickets in five matches and providing crucial breakthroughs when Mumbai needed them most.
However, there is positive news for Mumbai. Indian internationals Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube will join the squad by Monday and are expected to be available for the remaining matches. Their inclusion could provide a timely boost in both experience and firepower.
With qualification now hanging in the balance, Mumbai face a tense finish to the group stage where fitness updates, selections and NRR calculations may ultimately decide their fate.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
January 4, 2026
