Just days after stepping down as captain of the Mumbai Ranji team, Ajinkya Rahane will return to action in the KSCA Invitational Tournament in Karnataka, according to a Times of India report. The veteran batter will represent Mumbai in the two-day pre-season competition, which is designed to help players prepare ahead of the domestic season.
Siddhesh Lad to lead, big names in squad
With Rahane relinquishing leadership duties, Siddhesh Lad will captain the Mumbai side in this tournament. The squad also features exciting names such as Sarfaraz Khan, Musheer Khan, and Atharva Ankolekar, giving the team both experience and youthful depth.
Rahane’s decision to focus on playing
Rahane had recently announced his decision to quit Mumbai’s captaincy role, saying he wanted to focus purely on contributing as a player. “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. I remain fully committed to giving my best as a player,” he wrote in a social media post.
Rahane’s career highlights
Rahane played a pivotal role in Mumbai’s 2023–24 Ranji Trophy triumph, ending a nine-year wait for silverware. More recently, he captained Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025, though the campaign ended in disappointment with the team finishing eighth. At the international level, Rahane has represented India in 85 Tests, scoring 5,077 runs at an average of 38, including 12 centuries and 26 fifties. His last appearance for India came in July 2023 against the West Indies.
