Setback for Mumbai as former India captain opts out of red-ball season

Mumbai cricket is hit by a major blow, as the former India captain and one of their mainstays has informed the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) about his unavailability for the remaining part of the red-ball season. The news broke out on the Saturday (January 17) morning.

Mumbai is scheduled to play two more Ranji Trophy 2025-26 matches. First, they will play against Hyderabad in an away fixture on January 22–25, and then against Delhi at the MCA-BKC ground from January 29 to February 1. Mumbai will have to play these two matches without the service of Ajinkya Rahane.

According to media reports, Rahane, 37, pulled himself out of the contests, citing 'personal reasons'; the MCA confirmed on Saturday. MCA is expected to announce the squad ahead of the Hyderabad match soon. Now, the team officials will have to select the team without Rahane.

Ajinkya Rahane will not feature for Mumbai in the remaining Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season

The experienced Indian batter has been a key figure for the Mumbai cricket team for the past two seasons and has not featured for the Indian national team since July 2023. In the ongoing domestic season, Rahane's form remains below par according to his standard. In the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, the right-handed batter is all set to play for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the second consecutive season.

Rahane claimed a half-century in his previous appearance for Mumbai, scoring an unbeaten 72 against Rajasthan in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In the same tournament, Rahane remained unbeaten for 95 during a match against Odisha on December 8. But he won the recently held Vijay Hazare Trophy.