Thursday, 21st August:
Veteran India batsman Ajinkya Rahane, the then captain of KKR, on Thursday made an announcement that he will be leaving Mumbai's captaincy in domestic cricket. Posting the news on social media, Rahane wrote: "Captaining and winning championships with Mumbai has been an absolute honor. 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 as a player and will continue my journey with @MumbaiCricAssoc to help us win more trophies. Looking forward to the season."
Success under Rahane's command
The Times of India reported he guided Mumbai to the title in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, becoming the highest run-scorer in the tournament. The team also reached the Ranji Trophy semi-finals under his captaincy. With his cool and composed demeanor, Rahane's captaincy has frequently been said to have stabilized the dressing room.
MyKhel reported that Rahane piled up 469 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, demonstrating that even after giving up the captaincy, he is still a priceless batman who continues to contribute. The report further mentioned that his move was more motivated by the need to make way for young leaders rather than any loss of form.
Where Mumbai and Rahane go from here?
With Rahane's stepping down, TOI pointed out that the Mumbai selectors could turn to veteran names such as Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, or Sarfaraz Khan to assume the leadership role.
Meanwhile, Rahane remains with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL as a player as confirmed by MyKhel, ending speculation of a bigger retirement move. His choice to focus on playing rather than leading signals a new phase in his journey, which is going to inspire Mumbai’s next generation.
