The Mumbai Cricket Association has been notified by senior batsman Ajinkya Rahane that he will not be available for the remainder of the Ranji Trophy 2025–2026 season. Since every team has already played five games this season, phase two of the Ranji Trophy Elite series will begin on January 22. Rahane will not be leading Mumbai when they play Hyderabad in the sixth round.
Ajinkya Rahane has stated that he is unable to play for the 42-time winners for the remainder of the season due to personal concerns, but the true reason is still unknown. The famous cricketer would not be seen playing for the rest of the prestigious red-ball event, according to an MCA official who also verified the situation.
The Times of India cited MCA secretary Unmesh Khanvilkar as stating, “Yes, Ajinkya Rahane has informed us ahead of today’s selection committee meeting that he won’t be taking part in the remaining season of the Ranji Trophy due to personal reasons.”
Mumbai, led by Shardul Thakur, will depend on its youth.
Ajinkya Rahane absence exacerbates the problems of the Shardul Thakur-led team, which will be starting the second half of the season with a comparatively inexperienced squad. Players like Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, and Suryakumar Yadav are also occupied with their responsibilities with the Indian team for the forthcoming T20I series against New Zealand and the T20 World Cup 2026.
In addition to the previously listed India internationals, Ajinkya Rahane will not be part of the team when the state association selects the final roster for the remaining two rounds of the Elite Group competition on Saturday, January 17.
However, because he won’t be playing for the Indian team, opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal might be seen playing for the team. Jaiswal last appeared for Mumbai in three group stage matches during the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26. He also played for the team in as many games as the List-A competition during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025.
Home