'Sick' Dhull pulls out as Rahane-led Mumbai gear up for run-feast vs depleted Delhi

Mumbai will be keen to ensure at least a first innings lead to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive

Yash Dhull's nightmarish Ranji Trophy season just got worse as the "sick" Delhi captain has been ruled out of their group B clash against arch-rivals Mumbai beginning here Tuesday.

With the likes of Sarfaraz Khan and Prithvi Shaw licking their lips for a run feast, Mumbai will be keen to ensure at least a first innings lead to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive.

Delhi on the other hand are out of contention, and in Dhull's absence, vice-captain Himmat Singh will take over, while former skipper Nitish Rana has now been recalled in absence of possible options.

However it is not clear who will open the innings as both Anuj Rawat, also back in the playing XI, and Ayush Badoni, want to bat in middle order.

Delhi versus Mumbai contests are always one of the most high profile of the Ranji Trophy clashes. 

But the Delhi team playing with its fifth-string bowling attack and literally no motivation after being knocked out at the group stage, start as underdogs against a Mumbai team headlined by the seasoned Ajinkya Rahane.

Dhull, who hasn't actually earned many friends in the Delhi dressing room during the season by not showing any inclination to bat in top three in conditions that aided seam and swing, would actually feel relieved that he doesn't have to play the game.