Former coach Pravin Amre and MCA secretary Abhay Hadap admit 42-time Ranji champions will miss Rahane’s leadership, but can still benefit a lot from the Test veteran’s invaluable experience
Ajinkya Rahane during Mumbai’s practice session on the eve of their Ranji Trophy match against Meghalaya at the MCA-BKC ground earlier this year
A day after the Ayush Mhatre-led Mumbai team lost to TNCA XI in their opening game of the Buchi Babu All-India Invitation Cricket Tournament in Chennai, Mumbai cricket has received a second jolt. Test veteran Ajinkya Rahane, 37, who led Mumbai to the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy title and also guided the team to the Irani Cup triumph in 2024-25, announced on social media that he would no longer be leading the Mumbai team for the upcoming Ranji season.
“Captaining and winning the championships with the Mumbai team has been an absolute honour. With the new domestic season ahead, I believe it is the right time to groom a new leader, and hence, I have decided not to continue in the captaincy role,” Rahane wrote on his ‘X’ account on Thursday.
Will continue as pure batter
However, Rahane, who has amassed 14,000 runs in 201 first-class games (with 41centuries) clarified that he will “remain fully committed to giving my best as a player, and will continue my journey with Mumbai Cricket Association to help us win more trophies, looking forward to the season.” While leading Mumbai to the Ranji semi-finals last season, Rahane had scored a total of 467 runs. The 42-time champions will begin their Ranji season against Jammu & Kashmir, on October 15.
Former Test batsman Pravin Amre, who was Mumbai’s head coach when Rahane made his first-class debut (scoring 143 against Karachi Urban in the Nissar Trophy at the National Stadium, Karachi in September 2007), welcomed Rahane’s decision, but reckoned that it will be Mumbai’s loss nevertheless.
Pravin Amre and Abhay Hadap
‘Happy he’s still playing’
“Ajinkya not leading the team is going to be Mumbai’s loss, but we have to respect his decision simply because, as a coach, I would also like to see that he continues to enjoy his cricket. I’m happy that he’s still playing because I know it’s not easy to keep playing domestic cricket for so many years. He is a true servant of the game,” Amre told mid-day on Thursday.
“I first saw Ajinkya as a 17-year-old kid, making his first-class debut. We have been working [together] for the last 18 years and Ajinkya is a coach’s delight. He’s a dream student, very well focused and always committed,” added Amre.
Next generation will benefit
MCA secretary Abhay Hadap felt Rahane’s experience will continue to be invaluable for the team’s youngsters: “Ajinkya is a veteran player of 85 Tests and is free to take his own decisions, but what is pleasing is that he will continue to play for Mumbai. He is available as a player so that’s good. His presence and vast experience will help Mumbai build its next generation of cricketers.”
Rahane is known for his leadership skills, having led India to a Test series win in Australia in 2021. He last played a Test for India in 2023 against West Indies at Port of Spain.
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