Ranji Trophy 2025: Why Mumbai players wearing black arm band in the semi-final against Vidarbha?

Mumbai are taking on Vidarbha in the second semi-final of the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. Meanwhile, a visual attracted the eyeballs of the cricket fans when Mumbai players were seen wearing the black armbands while making it to the field for the third day’s game against Vidarbha.

For the unversed, the Mumbai players wore these black armbands in honour and to pay tribute to the former Mumbai skipper and ex-chief selector, Milind Rege who passed away earlier today due to a cardiac arrest. The notable off-spinner of his time in domestic cricket Milind turned 76 just three days back on Sunday, February 1.

Milind Rege played for Mumbai in the First-Class cricket from 1966 to 1978. In his 12-year-long domestic cricket career, Rege scalped 126 wickets in 52 games, including three five-wicket hauls to credit. However, the notable Mumbai star couldn’t make it to the international debut for India.

Sachin Tendulkar and Ravi Shastri pay tribute to Milind Rege

After retiring from domestic cricket, Rege also served in some crucial positions in the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). He became a selector followed by becoming chief of selector during different periods. He was also a selector when the 15-year-old Sachin Tendulkar was picked in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad 38 years back in the year 1988.

A lot of renowned cricketing names, including Ravi Shastri, Sachin Tendulkar, and other cricketers took their social media handles to pay tribute to Mumbai’s prominent cricketing personality.

Really sad to hear about the demise of a dear friend Milind Rege. A true Champion in his contribution to Mumbai and Tata's cricket all-round. A Mentor Par Excellence. Heartfelt condolences to Raj and family. God bless his soul. pic.twitter.com/ZrB1fHAizg

— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) February 19, 2025

Sad to hear about Milind Rege Sir's passing. He was a true Mumbai cricketer with immense contributions to the city's cricket. He and other CCI members saw potential in me and asked me to play for CCI, which, as I look back now, was a landmark moment in my career.

He could pick… pic.twitter.com/MD00ghszkW

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 19, 2025

Speaking of the current action of the ongoing second semi-final between Mumbai and Vidarbha, the hosts are batting in their second innings and have scored 42 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in 12 overs. Opener Dhruv Shorey and star in-form number four batter Karun Nair are there in the middle at individual scores of 8 and 0 runs, respectively. 

Earlier in the first innings, Mumbai were bowled out at the score of 270 runs in response to Vidarbha’s first-innings total of 383 runs. Vidarbha are currently leading by 155 runs in the second innings.