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Shardul Thakur is set to captain Mumbai for the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, replacing Ajinkya Rahane. Shreyas Iyer was overlooked despite his IPL success.
Shreyas Iyer has been pipped by Shardul Thakur as Mumbai’s captain (PTI Photo)
Mumbai are reportedly set to appoint all-rounder Shardul Thakur as their captain for the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, replacing senior batter Ajinkya Rahane, who stepped down on Thursday (August 21).
According to The Indian Express, the Mumbai senior selection committee spoke to Rahane before the season and took his inputs about future captaincy candidates. Thakur was recently appointed as the captain for the West Zone in the Duleep Trophy as well, which was seen as a nod to his leadership capabilities.
“Captaining and winning championships with the Mumbai team has been an absolute honour,” Rahane wrote on his X account to announce his decision. “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.”
Thakur has been one of the most important players for Mumbai in recent years, stepping up time and again with important wickets and crucial lower-order runs. Last season, he scored 505 runs, including a century against Jammu and Kashmir, alongside 35 wickets in nine matches.
The 33-year-old did the same for India for a while, but his performances waned in recent times and were underwhelming in the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. However, soon afterwards, he had spoken about how the Duleep Trophy for him was as much an opportunity to work on his primary skills as for his leadership.
Shreyas Iyer ignored again
He beats several other senior figures in the team for the role, not least Shreyas Iyer. The middle-order batter is recognised as one of the best captains in the country, having led in three IPL finals, two of them in the last two years, including a win with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2023. There are murmurs about Shreyas being appointed as the ODI captain once Rohit Sharma steps down from the job, too.
Shreyas was recently snubbed from India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad on Wednesday, too, making it a difficult few days for him.
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that’s cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that’s cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext
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