India captain Suryakumar Yadav may be preparing to lead the defending champions into their T20 World Cup opener, but the match against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium will carry a special personal subplot. On the other side will be his old Mumbai teammate and close friend, Shubham Ranjane.
“We are buddies and always will be, but not on Saturday when we take on the USA,” Suryakumar said with a smile, acknowledging the unusual situation of facing a long-time friend on the international stage.
The two go back a long way, to their early days in Mumbai cricket, when they shared dressing rooms, nets, and even living spaces. As young professionals trying to break into the highly competitive Mumbai circuit, Suryakumar and Ranjane spent countless hours training together, pushing each other in the nets, and dreaming of making it big in the game. At one stage, they were even roommates, sharing not just accommodation but also ambitions, struggles, and the routines of a cricketer’s life in the city.
While Suryakumar’s journey took him to the Indian team and eventually the captaincy, Ranjane carved his own path and now represents the USA on the world stage. The T20 World Cup opener will therefore be more than just another fixture; it will be a meeting of two friends whose careers have taken very different directions.
Also read: Toss doesn’t decide matches, says Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan
“I am really happy for him and wish him all the best,” Suryakumar said. “We have known each other for years, from our Mumbai days. We have played together, stayed together, and shared a lot of memories. Those bonds don’t change.”
Yet, the Indian skipper made it clear that once the game begins, friendship will take a back seat. “On the field, it’s all about the team and the match. We’ll catch up after the game,” he said.
For both players, the encounter at Wankhede will be a reminder of how far they have come—from sharing rooms in Mumbai to lining up on opposite sides in a T20 World Cup opener.
By Joe Williams
Follow us
