Ajinkya Rahane, a senior batsman, said on Thursday that he is standing down as captain of Mumbai’s domestic cricket team. This is a big change for the team. The 37-year-old posted on social media that he thinks it’s time to “groom a new leader” for the team.
“Being captain of the Mumbai team and winning titles has been an honor. “I think now is the right time to train a new leader because a new domestic season is coming up,” Rahane wrote on X. “That’s why I won’t be the captain anymore.” He also made it clear that he will keep playing for Mumbai by saying, “I am still fully committed to giving my best as a player and will continue my journey with @MumbaiCricAssoc to help us win more trophies.” Excited for the season.
Rahane’s choice comes before the 2025–26 domestic season, which will start with the Duleep Trophy from August 28 to September 15. Cricket fans are interested in the timing of his declaration, which came only weeks after he and fellow veteran Cheteshwar Pujara were left out of the West Zone side for the Duleep Trophy.
The Indian Express says that all-rounder Shardul Thakur is the best candidate to take Rahane’s place. The article further said that the Mumbai selection committee had already talked to Rahane before the season about who may make a good captain. It looks like Thakur is definitely going to be the next leader because he was recently selected captain of the West Zone for the Duleep Trophy.
Rahane’s time as captain of Mumbai was quite successful, and it helped the team get back on track in domestic competitions. Mumbai won the famous Ranji Trophy in the 2023–24 season, ending a seven-year drought under his guidance. He also led the side to win the Irani Trophy in 2024–25 and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last season, where he was the tournament’s top run-scorer. Mumbai made it to the semifinals of the Ranji Trophy last season, although his own performance was up and down, with 214 runs in the 2023–24 season and 467 runs in the 2024–25 season.
Rahane has done a lot for Mumbai cricket, even though he is no longer in charge. He is the second-highest run-scorer for Mumbai in first-class cricket, behind only former India opener Wasim Jaffer. He scored 5,932 runs in 76 matches, with an excellent average of 52. He has also scored 19 centuries for the side in first-class cricket, which is the second most after Jaffer’s 29.
Rahane has played 201 first-class, 192 List A, and 284 T20 matches in his whole domestic career. He has scored more than 14,000 runs in first-class cricket alone. The new captain should find his experience and ongoing presence in the squad to be very helpful as Mumbai tries to win additional championships next season.