Ahead of their Ranji Trophy 2025-26 quarterfinal clash against Karnataka, Mumbai players received guidance from legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar on February 5 at the MCA-BKC facility. Tendulkar, a former Mumbai captain, held an interactive session with the squad, focusing on handling pressure, maintaining a winning mindset, and preparing for high-stakes matches.
Mumbai captain Shardul Thakur, returning from an injury layoff, said,
“We were fortunate to have Sachin sir in the dressing room today. Rather than just a pep talk, it was more of a Q&A session. All players and respective coaches asked him a variety of questions. The questions were about approach, preparation, a winning mindset, and handling pressure in tough situations.”
The session also included India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, strengthening the squad ahead of the knockout stage. Tendulkar’s advice was aimed at both senior players and younger members, reinforcing strategies that have historically helped Mumbai perform under pressure.
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Mumbai’s unbeaten group stage highlights consistency
Mumbai reached the quarterfinals as the top team in Elite Group D, earning 33 points from seven matches without suffering a loss. Their campaign included four outright wins and three draws, reflecting a balance of strong batting performances and disciplined bowling.
Key matches included a 35-run win over Jammu & Kashmir in Srinagar, an innings and 120-run victory over Himachal Pradesh, and an innings and 222-run win against Puducherry at Wankhede Stadium. Other results were draws against Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Delhi, and a nine-wicket win over Hyderabad.
Standout batter Siddhesh Lad scored five centuries during the league stage, while Shams Mulani and Musheer Khan led the bowling attack. Bonus points from innings victories contributed to Mumbai finishing at the top of their group.
Quarterfinal setup and preparation
Mumbai will meet Karnataka in the fourth quarterfinal from February 6–10, 2026, at the BKC Ground in Mumbai. The start time is scheduled for 9:30 AM IST. The venue shift from Wankhede Stadium is due to overlapping T20 World Cup fixtures beginning February 7.
The visit from Tendulkar added a motivational edge to the team’s preparation, providing tactical and mental advice ahead of the high-profile knockout. Mumbai’s lineup for the quarterfinal will feature the returning stars, aiming to translate group-stage consistency into a strong performance against Karnataka.
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