Master-blaster batsman Sachin Tendulkar and left-arm medium pacer Zaheer Khan have been included in the 15 member Mumbai team for the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Saurashtra to be played at Chennai from January 4 to 7. With the inclusion of these experienced players in the team, Mumbai's march towards their 38th Ranji Trophy crown has been bolstered manifold. The match against Saurashtra would be his 36th for Mumbai.

It may be here recalled that Tendulkar and Zaheer played together last for Mumbai in 2006-07 against Bengal. The right hand opening batsman scored a century in that match at the Wankhede Stadium. However, Zaheer Khan’s only match for Mumbai was in the same final and he took nine wickets. Earlier the bowler used to play for the Ranji matches for Baroda.

With the inclusion of both these players, Mumbai coach Pravin Amre said, “It will be a boost for our youngsters, who have already done well. Their presence will be highly motivating as the players will expect to do well along with them.”

Moreover, both the players are in good form.  Zaheer was awarded with Man of the Series award in the recently concluded England Test series, while Tendulkar too had a outstanding outing.

Apart from this, the selectors have also made three more changes to the 15-man squad: Ankit Chavan replaces fellow left-arm spinner Iqabal Abdulla while Prafulla Waghela and Rahil Shaikh make way for Tendulkar and Zaheer.

Wasim Jaffer remains the skipper.  

Mumbai Squad: Wasim Jaffer (c), Sachin Tendulkar, Ajinkya Rahane, Sahil Kukreja, Amol Muzumdar, Rohit Sharma, Ajit Agarkar, Vinayak Samant (wk), Sairaj Bahutule, Ramesh Powar, Zaheer Khan, Dhawal Kulkarni, Abhishek Nayar, Usman Malvi and Ankit Chavan; Pravin Amre (coach).