Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Ajinkya Rahane informs Mumbai of unavailability due to personal reasons
Rahane had captained Mumbai to a title win in 2023-24 season.
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Senior batter Ajinkya Rahane has informed the Mumbai Cricket Association regarding his unavailability for the rest of the season of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26. The phase two of the Ranji Trophy Elite series will commence on January 22, as all teams have already played five matches in the season. Mumbai will be taking on Hyderabad for the sixth round match, with Rahane not at their helm.
Rahane has cited personal reasons for not being available to take part in the rest of the season for the 42-time champions; the actual reasoning, however, continues to be unknown. An MCA official also confirmed the development, stating that the star cricketer will not be seen participating for the remainder of the marquee red-ball tournament.
“Yes, 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,” MCA secretary Unmesh Khanvilkar was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
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With players like Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, and Suryakumar Yadav also busy in their duties with the Indian team for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand and the T20 World Cup 2026 to follow, Rahane's absence furthers the woes of the Shardul Thakur-led side, who will be entering the second phase of the season with a relatively inexperienced unit.
The state association will pick the final squad for the remaining two rounds of the Elite Group competition on Saturday, January 17, and the team is going to be without Rahane in addition to the aforementioned India internationals.
Opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, however, may be seen participating for the side, since he won't be busy with the Indian team. Jaiswal had last turned up for Mumbai during the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 in three group stage fixtures, while also featuring for the side in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 in as many games as the List-A tournament.
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