Ajinkya Rahane has officially confirmed that he will not continue as the captain of the Mumbai cricket team. The Indian veteran believes the time has come to pass the baton and nurture the next generation of leadership within the team.
Sharing the news on social media, Rahane wrote:
“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 as a player and will continue my journey with @MumbaiCricAssoc to help us win more trophies. Looking forward to the season.”
This move is seen as a thoughtful step toward the future of Mumbai cricket, highlighting Rahane’s dedication not just as a player, but also as a mentor for upcoming talents. His leadership was instrumental in reviving Mumbai’s domestic dominance.
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AJINKYA RAHANE CONFIRMS HE HAS DECIDED NOT TO CONTINUE AS MUMBAI CAPTAIN…!!!
– With the new season, it’s time to groom a young Captain, Great commitment by the Indian legend for the future. pic.twitter.com/TWeNJqKkc1
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 21, 2025
Under Rahane’s captaincy, Mumbai clinched the prestigious Ranji Trophy title in the 2023–24 season, breaking a seven-year title drought. The success didn’t stop there, Mumbai also lifted the Irani Trophy in the 2024–25 season, adding another feather to his captaincy cap.
Rahane’s announcement came just before the start of the new season, showing his intent to contribute in full capacity as a senior player. His experience and form are expected to continue playing a vital role in Mumbai’s upcoming campaigns.
IPL 2025
In the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Ajinkya Rahane lead Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and emerged as their top run-scorer. He delivered a solid individual performance, amassing 390 runs across 13 matches. Despite his efforts, KKR faced an underwhelming season and failed to progress beyond the league stage. Rahane’s performance stood out with a batting average of 35.45 and an impressive strike rate of 147.73. His highest score in the season was 61, and during a match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he reached a personal milestone by surpassing 5,000 career runs in the IPL.
While Rahane played a dependable role at the top, the team’s overall batting failed to fire collectively. Kolkata Knight Riders finished 8th on the points table, securing only 5 wins from their 14 matches ultimately leading to their elimination from the tournament. Rahane’s consistent contributions may have been a silver lining in an otherwise disappointing campaign for KKR, highlighting both his experience and resilience in a challenging season.