Mhatre suffers Grade 4 right hamstring tear, expected to be out for a month

Mumbai batter Ayush Mhatre's return to action from a hamstring injury lasted only one innings as he suffered a Grade 4 right hamstring tear in the opening round of the Ranji Trophy, ruling him out for another month. This was Mhatre's first game in nearly six months after he had hurt his left hamstring while batting for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL earlier this year.

Mhatre damaged his right hamstring after opening the batting for Mumbai on Sunday, and did not field in either of the Chandigarh innings while the hosts completed an innings win at Wankhede Stadium. Mhatre sustained the injury while running between the wickets and was seen hobbling for some runs before being bowled for 48. While Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad said Mhatre, their new vice-captain, will miss at least the next two rounds, Cricinfo has learnt Mhatre could be out for a month.

"It seems that he will not be with the team for some time now," Lad said after the game. "The way he was limping in the match, it does not look like he would be available for the second or the third match.

"It happened while running [between the wickets]...we had two or three simulations and club games and he also played at the BKC (Ground), and he was looking fine for the last three-four matches, but he felt something in his hamstring while taking a second run."

Mumbai will also miss the injured Shardul Thakur for their next round, against Himachal Pradesh. Thakur suffered a fracture on his right middle finger in the nets in the lead up to the first round fixture and the Mumbai camp is hoping to have him back for the third round. Thakur was seen training with the team a day before the clash against Chandigarh with his finger covered.

More to follow...