India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and all-rounder Shivam Dube have been exempted from Mumbai’s next Ranji Trophy match as both prepare for India’s upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) granted the exemption after discussions with the BCCI, allowing the key white-ball players to focus on recovery and training ahead of the international contest. The series begins on December 9 at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack and concludes on December 19 in Ahmedabad, with both players expected to play vital roles. The decision follows a growing emphasis on workload management within Indian cricket, especially for players involved in back-to-back international assignments. Speaking to the Indian Express, a senior MCA source confirmed, "Yadav has informed MCA that he would not be available and we have accepted his request as we feel that with the T20 World Cup around the corner, he should concentrate more on it." He added, "He (Suryakumar) has informed us that he will be available for the Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare Trophy. As far as Dube is concerned, there is an upcoming T20I series against South Africa, so that he can prepare for the same." Both cricketers have been actively involved in India’s limited-overs setup since the T20 World Cup, where their performances reinforced their place in the core group ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Read also: Which IPL Team Should Sign Mohammed Shami for 2026 and Why? Domestic calendar and national obligations The current round marks the final phase of the first leg of the Ranji Trophy, with the second leg set to resume on January 22. Meanwhile, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will commence on November 26, and the Vijay Hazare Trophy is slated to start from December 24. Suryakumar last played for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Vidarbha earlier this year before turning his full attention to international duties. Dube, on the other hand, has been instrumental in India’s middle order, making crucial contributions during the Australia series that India won 2-1 on home soil.