Ajinkya Rahane comes up with a heartfelt post after stepping down as Mumbai captain
Veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has officially stepped down as the captain of the Mumbai cricket team ahead of the upcoming domestic season. Rahane, who has been at the helm for the past three seasons in red-ball cricket, made the decision with a view toward Mumbai’s future. The 36-year-old stated that with a new season around the corner, this is the right time for the team to identify and nurture a new leader who can take the side forward in the years to come. While he has relinquished the leadership duties, Rahane confirmed that he will continue to contribute to the team as a player.
Under Rahane’s captaincy, Mumbai enjoyed a resurgence in domestic cricket, with the highlight being their Ranji Trophy triumph in the 2023–24 season. The team defeated Vidarbha in the final at Wankhede Stadium to clinch their 42nd Ranji title. However, in the following season, Vidarbha turned the tables and knocked Mumbai out in the semi-finals. While Rahane’s personal form with the bat dipped during that phase, his captaincy was widely praised for its clarity, composure, and tactical acumen. With his decision to step down, Mumbai cricket now looks ahead to a new chapter under a fresh leader.
Captaining and winning championships with the Mumbai team has been an absolute honour.
— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) August 21, 2025
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…
With Ajinkya Rahane stepping down as captain, the Mumbai cricket team is now in search of a new leader ahead of the 2025–26 domestic season. The top contenders for the role include Shreyas Iyer, Shardul Thakur, and Shams Mulani. Mulani has been Rahane’s deputy over the past few seasons and has captained the side in his absence, giving him a strong case. Shreyas Iyer, who leads the team in limited-overs formats, also brings leadership experience to the table. Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur’s credentials are highlighted by his appointment as West Zone captain, even with Iyer also named in the squad.
Mumbai will kick off their Ranji Trophy 2025–26 campaign with a Round 1 clash against Jammu & Kashmir. Their fixtures also include games against Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Puducherry, Hyderabad, and Delhi. The Mumbai Cricket Association faces an important decision as they look to appoint someone capable of leading the team into the future. Rahane leaves behind a remarkable legacy in red-ball cricket, having scored exactly 14,000 runs from 201 First-Class matches at an average of 45.16. With 41 centuries and 59 fifties to his name, he has also played a crucial role in Indian Test cricket, especially during Virat Kohli’s captaincy era.
