Ajinkya Rahane ends Mumbai captaincy reign to nurture next Ranji leader

Mumbai cricket will begin the 2025-26 domestic season without Ajinkya Rahane at the helm. The 37-year-old stalwart has asked the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to appoint a new skipper, saying the time is right to “groom a new leader” while he focuses solely on his batting.

Why Rahane Handed Over the Captaincy

Rahane’s decision arrives after a storied captaincy stint that peaked with Mumbai’s long-awaited 42nd Ranji Trophy crown in 2023-24. In a social-media note to fans and teammates, he wrote:
“Captaining and winning championships with the Mumbai team has been an absolute honour… I remain fully committed to giving my best as a player and will continue my journey with MCA to help us win more trophies.”

Although Mumbai lifted the trophy under his watch, Rahane’s red-ball form dipped: he scored 467 runs in his last 27 Ranji innings, managing just one century. Stepping aside now, he says, allows him to sharpen his batting and pass the leadership baton while Mumbai’s talent pipeline is overflowing.

The Legacy: One Title, Many Lessons

• Ended a nine-year title drought with the 2023-24 Ranji triumph

• Mentored a new core that includes Ayush Mhatre, Suved Parkar and Tushar Deshpande

• Fostered a fearless white-ball mindset that translated into Mumbai’s Syed Mushtaq Ali title last December, where Rahane was Player of the Tournament with 469 runs

Who Could Captain Mumbai Next?

1. Shreyas Iyer – led Mumbai in T20s last season; proven tactician, fitness permitting

2. Shardul Thakur – captains West Zone in this month’s Duleep Trophy; brings national-team experience

3. Prithvi Shaw – former India U-19 World Cup–winning skipper looking for a fresh start

4. Ayush Mhatre – just 18 but already leading Mumbai’s Buchi Babu Invitational squad; the long-term option

The MCA selection committee, chaired by former India seamer Ajit Agarkar, is expected to announce the new captain before the pre-season camp in September.

Rahane’s Own Goals for 2025-26

Still hungry for a national recall, Rahane carries training gear wherever he travels. He told Sky Sports recently: “I love playing red-ball cricket; that passion keeps me going.” After finishing as Kolkata Knight Riders’ top scorer in IPL 2025 (390 runs at 147.27), the veteran hopes a prolific Ranji season will nudge India’s Test selectors.

Mumbai’s Road Ahead

• Buchi Babu Invitational underway in Chennai with a youthful squad

• Duleep Trophy starts next week; performances there could shape Mumbai’s core

• Ranji Trophy campaign kicks off in late October, giving the new captain a quick baptism by fire

Rahane’s exit from the leadership chair marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another for Mumbai cricket. With fresh faces ready to take charge and the ex-skipper still in the dressing room as a batting bulwark, the 41-time champions appear well placed for another title tilt.