Veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane has stepped down as captain of the Mumbai Ranji Trophy side, marking the beginning of a new leadership chapter for the domestic giants. The announcement, made just weeks before the 2025 - 26 Ranji season, came through Rahane's social media post, where he expressed gratitude for the honour of leading Mumbai and explained his decision to step aside. For Rahane, it was not a goodbye but a conscious move to create space for specific leadership while continuing his journey as a player.
The Official Update
In his post Rahane described captaining Mumbai as one of the greatest honours of his career. He began by noting that with the new domestic season approaching, he felt it was the right time to groom a new leader. While relinquishing the captaincy, he assured fans and teammates that he remained fully committed to the team and would continue playing with the same dedication.
"I remain fully committed to giving my best as a player and will continue my journey with Mumbai to help us win more trophies" he wrote, highlighting his intention to guide the side in whatever capacity required. This decision was not unexpected. Reports suggest that the move came soon after a meeting between the MCA's senior selectors, the cricket improvement committee, and Dilip Vengsarkar, who has recently been appointed as the men's cricket advisor. The issue of captaincy was discussed during the meeting, and Rahane being the team's first professional he, has always responded positively to the idea of grooming a successor.
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…
Leadership Succession
With Rahane stepping aside, the selectors face an important task of choosing his successor. The front runner appears to be Shardul Thakur, the Indian Test all-rounder who has already been named captain of the West Zone team for the Duleep Trophy. His leadership experience at both domestic and international levels, coupled with his aggressive style of play, makes him a strong candidate to lead Mumbai. Shreyas Iyer, who successfully captained Mumbai in White Ball cricket tournaments and guided them to the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy title last season, remains another option, although his availability is uncertain due to international duties. Meanwhile, vice captain Shams Mulani and senior batter Siddhesh Lad also remain in consideration. Whoever takes the reins will have to balance maintaining Mumbai's tradition of dominance with ushering in a fresh approach.
Rahane's Captaincy Journey
Rahane's contribution as captain cannot be understood. He took charge at a time when Mumbai had been struggling to replicate its historic dominance in the Ranji Trophy. Under his leadership, the team ended an eight-year drought by lifting its 42nd Ranji Title in the 2023- 24 season. This Victory not only restored Mumbai's pride but also underlined Rahane's ability to blend calm decision-making with the ability to inspire youngsters. He followed it up with an Irani Cup later that year and, through the following season, saw Mumbai fall just short, losing in the semifinals to Vidarbha. Despite his setback, Rahane's captaincy revived the competitive spirit in the dressing room and left Mumbai in a stronger position than before.
Rahane as a Player
While his captaincy flourished, Rahane's performances with the bat have been inconsistent in recent years. The 2023 - 24 season was particularly disappointing as he managed only 214 runs at an average below 18, his poorest Ranji return. He bounced back in the 2024 -25 season with 467 runs at an average close to 36, including a century, but those numbers still fell short of his lofty standards. With younger talents like Sarfaraz Khan, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Prithvi Shaw pushing for bigger roles, Rahane now faces the challenge of proving his value as batsman however there is a hope that he can rediscover the free flowing from at the once made him one of the free flowing form that once made him one of India's most reliable red ball players.
What it Means for Mumbai
Rahane's decision signals both stability and change for Mumbai cricket. His calm presence and vast experience will continue to guide the dressing room, reassuring young players of a seasoned professional. At the same time, a new captain will inject fresh energy and perhaps a different style of leadership, something crucial as the Ranji Trophy grows more competitive. With teams like Vidarbha, Saurashtra, and Madhya Pradesh consistently challenging Mumbai's supremacy, this transition will test how quickly the squad adapts. For thrives on its around legacy of 42 titles, the coming season will be about balancing tradition with renewal.
Rahane's exit marks the end of a proud chapter and the start of a new era, with him tipped to lead. As Rahane looks to regain form at the bat, Mumbai's focus shifts to a smooth leadership transition and reclaiming the Ranji trophy Dominance in 2025 - 26.