Ajinkya Rahane Steps Down as Mumbai's Ranji Captain Amid Domestic Season Shakeup

Ajinkya Rahane, a stalwart of Indian cricket, has announced his decision to relinquish the captaincy of the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team as the 2025-26 domestic season approaches. Rahane made the announcement via social media on Thursday, emphasizing the honor of leading the team to a championship victory.

Rahane expressed confidence that this is the ideal time for a new leader to emerge while reiterating his dedication to contributing as a player. Under his captaincy, Mumbai claimed their 42nd Ranji Trophy title in the 2023-24 season, ending a nine-year drought.

As changes sweep through the domestic circuit, Rahane and veteran Cheteshwar Pujara were notably absent from the star-studded West Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy. The tournament, resuming its zonal format, set to kick-off on August 28, marks a pivotal moment in the domestic cricket landscape.

The omission of both Rahane and Pujara from national consideration comes in the wake of India's loss to Australia in the ICC World Test Championship final. While their recent performances yielded decent averages, the management seems to have moved on.

With illustrious careers, Rahane and Pujara's contributions to Indian cricket are indisputable. As the domestic season evolves, the cricketing fraternity will surely be watching these developments with keen interest.

(With inputs from agencies.)