Veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane on Thursday announced that he will be stepping down as captain of the Mumbai cricket team for the upcoming domestic season. The Indian cricketer announced his decision on social media, writing that it is time to groom a youngster. Under the leadership of Rahane, the Mumbai side won its first Ranji Trophy title in the 2023/24 season after a seven-year wait and went on to win the Irani Trophy in the 2024/25 season. However, Rahane also revealed he will continue to represent the side as a player.
“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,” Rahane posted on X (Formerly known as Twitter). He added, “I remain fully committed to giving my best as a player and will continue my journey with @MumbaiCricAssoc to help us win more trophies. Looking forward to the season.”
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
Mumbai is well stocked with talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shardul Thakur, and Suryakumar Yadav, who have all represented the national side, and Suryakumar is the current T20I captain.
Yashasvi Jaiswal does a U-turn
Earlier in May, Yashasvi Jaiswal asked for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to switch from Mumbai to Goa, the Indian opener took a U-turn.
The 23-year-old has now written an email to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to withdraw his NOC and said he is available to represent Mumbai for the next domestic season.
“I the undersigned would request your goodself to consider my request in withdrawing my NOC given to me as I had some family plans in shifting to Goa which for now has been curtailed ! So I sincerely request MCA to allow me to play for Mumbai this season ! I have not submitted the NOC to BCCI nor to Goa Cricket Association,” Jaiswal wrote in email to MCA, assessed by The Indian Express.
