Seasoned Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has departed from the role of the captain of Mumbai ahead of the upcoming Ranji Trophy season, saying the time has come to groom a new leader.
Despite stepping down from the captaincy, the veteran right-hander will continue to play for the domestic giants as a batsman.
Mumbai will start the Ranji campaign on October 15 against Jammu and Kashmir.
The 37-year-old, one of the most experienced names in Indian domestic cricket, has so far accumulated over 14,000 runs in 201 first-class matches.
“Captaining and winning the championships with the Mumbai team has been an absolute honour,” Rahane wrote on his social media handle ‘X’.
“With the new domestic season ahead, I believe it is the right time to groom a new leader, and hence, I have decided not to continue in the captaincy role. I remain fully committed to giving my best as a player, and will continue my journey with MCA to help us win more trophies, looking forward to the season,” he added.
Rahane leaves behind a rich legacy as captain of Mumbai. Under his stewardship, the team clinched the Ranji Trophy title in the 2023–24 season, beating Vidarbha in the final. He followed it up by guiding the side to victory in the Irani Cup 2024–25, where Mumbai overcame the Rest of India team.
His success was not limited to red-ball formats. Earlier, he had led Mumbai to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title in 2022–23, reaffirming his reputation as one of the finest leaders in Indian domestic cricket. His calm yet assertive captaincy style earned him immense respect in the dressing room and among fans.
Captaining and winning championships with the Mumbai team has been an absolute honour.
With a new domestic season ahead, I believe it’s the right time to groom a new leader, and hence I’ve decided not to continue in the captaincy role.
On the international stage, Rahane’s most celebrated moment came in 2021 when he captained India to a historic Test series win in Australia. Standing in for Virat Kohli, he marshalled a depleted side to one of India’s most famous overseas victories, including the memorable triumph at the Gabba.
Though Rahane is not currently in the reckoning for the national side, he has not given up hope of an India comeback. He last played a Test for India in July 2023 against the West Indies. In total, he has represented the country in 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20 Internationals, scoring crucial runs across formats.
In recent years, Rahane has also adapted his game to suit the shortest format. His reinvention in T20 cricket was rewarded when he was named captain of Kolkata Knight Riders for the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League. His ability to stay relevant in different formats highlights his determination and resilience.
Alongside fellow stalwart Cheteshwar Pujara, Rahane continues to push for a return to the Indian Test side. For now, though, his focus remains on Mumbai, where he hopes his experience and form can contribute to another successful domestic campaign.
By stepping aside as captain, Rahane has opened the door for a new generation of leaders in Mumbai cricket. Yet, his presence as a senior pro ensures that the team will benefit from his guidance both on and off the field.
Pic Credit (Screen grab: YouTube India News Sports)
