Veteran Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has announced his decision to relinquish captaincy of the Mumbai team ahead of the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season.
In a heartfelt post on social media, Rahane emphasised the importance of grooming a new leader and expressed his continued dedication to the team as a player.
“Captaining and winning championships with the Mumbai team has been an absolute honour,” Rahane wrote. “With a new domestic season ahead, I believe it’s the right time to groom a new leader.”
Under Rahane’s leadership, Mumbai broke a seven-year title drought by clinching the Ranji Trophy in 2023–24, followed by triumphs in the Irani Cup and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His tenure is widely regarded as one of the most successful in recent domestic cricket history.
Despite stepping down, Rahane confirmed he is not retiring and will continue to represent Mumbai across formats. With over 14,000 first-class runs, his experience remains invaluable to the squad.
The Mumbai team now faces the task of selecting a new captain. Strong contenders include Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav, both seasoned leaders with IPL and international experience. The upcoming season begins on October 15, with Mumbai set to face Jammu and Kashmir in their opener.
