Dube rested for Chhattisgarh Ranji Trophy match, but Shardul, Shams and Tushar will boost Mumbai

Shivam Dube

Mumbai's stand-in captain Shivam Dube, who led from the front by scoring 72 in Mumbai's win over Bengal in their Elite Group ‘B' Ranji Trophy match at Kolkata on Sunday, has been given a break for their Chhattisgarh game starting on Friday in Raipur. Though Dube is experiencing some stiffness in his legs, Mumbai chief selector Raju Kulkarni reckoned it's just a precaution and the India all-rounder will be available for Mumbai's last league match against Assam to be played in Mumbai from February 16.

"Shivam has been given rest because he is facing some stiffness in his legs. It's just a precautionary measure as there will be hardly any gap between our last league game and knockout matches. He will play against Assam and then in the knockouts," Kulkarni told mid-day.com on Monday.

Also Read: Shreyas Gopal shines against Mumbai, Shivam Dube smashes fifty

Test batsman Ajinkya Rahane, who missed the Bengal match due to a hamstring injury, will lead Mumbai against Chhattisgarh. Left-arm spinner Shams Mulani and pacer Tushar Deshpande, who represented India ‘A' against England Lions recently, and India pacer Shardul Thakur, will join Rahane & Co in Raipur.

After five games, Mumbai are leading Group ‘B' with 27 points.