India's middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer, who has been left out of the upcoming three-T20I series against Afghanistan at home, is all set to feature in Mumbai’s second Ranji Trophy match against Andhra, TOI reported on Tuesday (January 9).

The First-Class fixture is scheduled to be held at the Mumbai Cricket Association's Bandra-Kurla Complex ground from January 12.

Iyer registered scores of 31, 6, 0 and 4* across the four innings of the recently held two-Test series against South Africa. He was extensively criticized for his exploits, especially his inability to handle the pace and bounce on South African tracks.

"Iyer expressed his willingness to play in the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai," a source in the Mumbai Cricket Association told TOI.

India’s next red-ball assignment is the five-Test series against England, slated to get underway on January 25 in Hyderabad.

It seems that Shreyas Iyer wants to prepare for the England series with some First-Class matches under his belt. He has replaced Sarfaraz Khan, who has left for Ahmedabad to play for India A against the England Lions, in the Mumbai squad for the Ranji clash against Andhra.

Having performed well in local club cricket, pacer Sylvester Dsouza and opener Amogh Bhatkal have received maiden Mumbai call-up.

"Bhatkal has hit five-six centuries for Nirlon in inter-office cricket, including 260 in the Times Shield against Income Tax. For the Parsee Gymkhana, he scored 149 not out against Payyade SC in the Kanga League, and 109 not out versus Parkophene in the Police Shield," TOI quoted a source as saying.

Mumbai have opened their Ranji Trophy 2023-24 campaign with an innings and 51-run victory over Bihar in Patna.

Mumbai Squad: Ajinkya Rahane (Captain), Shreyas Iyer, Jay Bista, Bhupen Lalwani, Amogh Bhatkal, Suved Parkar, Prasad Pawar (WK), Hardik Tamore (WK), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Atharva Ankolekar, Mohit Awasthi, Dhaval Kulkarni, Roystan Dias, Sylvester Dsouza.

(With TOI Inputs)