Ajinkya Rahane, one of India’s most dependable batters in red-ball cricket, has officially stepped down as the captain of Mumbai ahead of the upcoming Ranji Trophy season. The veteran, who has over 14,000 runs in 201 first-class matches, emphasised that his decision was rooted in the need to groom a new leader for Mumbai cricket’s future.
At 37, Ajinkya Rahane will continue to play purely as a batter and contribute with his experience on the field. Mumbai are set to begin their Ranji Trophy campaign on October 15 against Jammu and Kashmir, but this time, without Rahane leading the side.
Taking to social media, the former India Test vice-captain reflected on his leadership stint, calling it an “absolute honour” to captain and win championships with the domestic giants. He added that stepping aside would allow fresh leadership to emerge while assuring fans and teammates of his continued commitment to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).
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Rahane’s leadership record with Mumbai is glittering. Under his captaincy, the team lifted the prestigious Ranji Trophy in the 2023–24 season after defeating Vidarbha in a thrilling final. He later guided Mumbai to the Irani Cup 2024–25 title against the Rest of India and had earlier steered them to victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022–23, proving his tactical acumen across formats.
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.
I remain fully committed to giving my best…
— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) August 21, 2025
These achievements firmly established him as one of the most successful leaders in Indian domestic cricket. Despite his domestic heroics, Rahane’s international ambitions remain alive.
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During India’s tour of England earlier this year, the middle-order batter admitted that he still dreams of donning the whites for India again. His last Test came against West Indies in 2023, but he continues to train hard, hoping for another opportunity. “I’m really passionate about playing Test cricket. I love red-ball cricket, and that passion keeps me going,” Rahane told Sky Sports.
With Rahane stepping aside as captain, Mumbai will enter a new chapter. Yet, his presence in the dressing room, both as a mentor and senior player, will be invaluable as the team looks to defend its titles and groom the next generation of leaders.
