USA’s Shubham Ranjane and India’s Suryakumar Yadav played together in Mumbai’s domestic cricket for years, sharing dressing rooms, dreams and countless hours on the city’s grounds.

Next month, their parallel journeys will circle back to where it all began.

On February 7, at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, the former teammates will stand at opposite ends wearing different colours when the Indian cricket team takes on the USA in the opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The contest may be international, but for Shubham, the emotions of seeing his former teammate once again on the ground will be deeply personal.

“Neither of us ever imagined we would one day face each other while representing different countries,” Shubham told Olympics.com. “We’ve played together since our early days in Mumbai, so this moment will be very special and extremely nostalgic.”

For Shubham, cricket is not just a profession but a family legacy. He is the third generation of the Ranjane family to play the game at the international level. 

Shubham’s grandfather, Vasant Ranjane, represented India in seven Tests between 1958 to 1964. Shubham’s father, Subhash, played for the Maharashtra and India Under-19 teams. 

Now 31, Shubham followed the same family path, making his first-class debut for Mumbai in the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy at the age of 21. His early years were shaped by the presence of Suryakumar Yadav, who was then 25. 

“Surya was never just a teammate,” Shubham said. “He was like an elder brother to me. He always believed in me, even when I doubted myself.”

The two played several matches together for Mumbai, but it was the moments off the field that forged an unbreakable bond. 

“We were roommates most of the time, so it’s difficult to pick just one memory,” Shubham recalled. “But one that really stands out is a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy game at Wankhede. We needed four runs off the last ball and Surya told me, ‘You will finish the game.’ That belief meant everything – and we did it.”

Their careers eventually diverged. Ranjane made the bold decision to move to the United States after being approached by Major League Cricket. He made his international debut for the USA in October last year and was subsequently named in the squad for the T20 World Cup.

“When I told Surya about my decision, he appreciated the move and gave me a lot of confidence,” Shubham said. “Coming from him, that support meant a lot.”

The transition was not without challenges. Ranjane arrived in the US with little more than two suitcases and a belief in his ability.

“It was a big risk, but life has been kind. I’m surrounded by friends who feel like family, and cricket here keeps improving in quality.”

Regular exposure to elite competitions has further strengthened his readiness for the World Cup. Featuring in the SA20 has given Ranjane valuable experience against world-class opposition.

“It (SA20) is one of the best leagues in the world,” Shubham said. “Facing world-class bowlers and performing against them has really boosted my confidence. I’ve learned a lot from my teammates and the management.”

Now, after years of different journeys, the two Mumbaikars will meet again – this time on the biggest stage.

However, Suryakumar Yadav arrives at the tournament as one of the game’s most destructive T20 players. A former world No. 1 T20I batter, the Indian captain has won 28 of his 38 matches in charge, suffering just six defeats.

“We won’t be roommates or teammates anymore,” Shubham said with a smile. “We’ll be rivals for a day. But at heart, we’ll always be friends.”

At Wankhede, where their shared story once began, cricket will once again bring them together – not to stand side by side, but to face each other, bound by a journey that began long before either wore international colours.