Shardul Thakur: Two-legged Ranji Trophy season will help players prepare for international stage

Shardul Thakur was one of the first cricketers to speak out about the need for a longer gap between Ranji Trophy matches. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) responded by introducing a concept of a break between the two legs of the Ranji Trophy, adding the white-ball tournaments in between.

Since this change was implemented last year, it has received mixed reviews. However, Mumbai captain Shardul supports it, stating, “There would always be mixed views on it, but personally I am okay with it.”

The first phase of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 concluded on Wednesday, and the second phase will resume on January 22. In between, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will be held from November 26 to December 18, followed by the Vijay Hazare Trophy, beginning on December 24.

But Shardul believes that it’s still a better concept, than playing non-stop First-Class games. “To play ten games in a row is tough on the body. We have also seen how the schedule is in the UK when the ECB plays. They have seven or eight first-class games in a row and then again they keep playing after break. They put some white-ball games in between. So that keeps everyone mentally fresh,” Shardul said.

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“Otherwise, you are just playing one format for three months and then suddenly, white-ball cricket and then red-ball cricket is lost. So, it’s good that we are playing five games and we have a bit of a break. Then we play white-ball tournament, and then again move to red-ball cricket. So that way everyone stays in touch. They stay on top of both the games mentally…”

This concept, according to Shardul, will help the players be ready for international cricket as they would have an idea about how to swiftly change formats. “Players who are playing first-class cricket throughout the year, they would have had 14 first-class games potentially with India A games, the Irani Trophy, the Duleep Trophy or even more. So a bit of break in between, switching in the formats is always good,” Shardul said, after Mumbai finished the first phase as the table-topper in Group D.

Age not a factor

In the past, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has not been too welcoming of their home-grown players, who opt to play for other teams, especially those above 30 years. The focus has always been on grooming younger talents, but making exceptions, the MCA brought in 33-year-old Siddhesh Lad and 31-year-old Akhil Herwadkar back into the team, and they both have stamped their class this season.

And, captain Shardul believes that age, after all, is just a number. “There is no rule anywhere that only youngsters can play cricket and once you are over 30, you can’t play. There is nothing like that. If you are fit, if you are running, then you should definitely feature in the Playing XI. And this sport is as much about fitness as it is about skills. At the end of the day, what matters is wickets and runs,” he said.

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Talking about backing the youngsters, he went on to add: “It feels good to hear that we have backed youngsters. But when do you back youngsters? When youngsters come here and make 100, 50, 150 and big runs. If you remember, when Shreyas Iyer came to the Mumbai team in 2013 or 2014, he failed in the first two matches. But then, he made 70, and a 150. So he never looked back…”

“He kept making runs. And even today, whenever he comes, plays Ranji Trophy for Mumbai, he performs like a champion. The same thing is with Siddhesh Lad. It is unfortunate that he could not play cricket at the highest level. But the talent he has, he has shown it year after year, and has won knockout games in Mumbai… So, when there is a match winner player, his age is not taken into account,” Shardul said, adding: “If he is performing, if he is fit, then he should definitely play… And all the youngsters who come into the team, I will tell them that you will have to come here and perform. With talent, performance and hard work are equally important…”

‘The time has come’

A seasoned campaigner himself, Shardul was recently traded to the Mumbai Indians ahead of the IPL 2026, and the local boy was happy to move to the ‘home team’, after spending years in teams like Chennai Super Kings, Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals. “Everyone likes to play in the home venue and on the home ground. I think this has been pending for many years.

But when the time comes, that’s when it becomes possible. So I think finally the time has come,” he said with a smile.

Published on Nov 19, 2025