Former Indian Test captain Ajinkya Rahane is all set to play for the Mumbai side in the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2022 season. However, he will not be donning the captaincy hat this time. The 33-year-old has been under a lot of criticism after the South Africa Test series for showing inconsistency over the last two years. Meanwhile, Rahane is now sent back to play in the Ranji Trophy to regain his form. However, Rahane will be playing under young captain Prithvi Shaw, who won the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021-22.
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Rahane's captaincy for India has been a huge plus with him yet to lose a Test. Moreover, he has also maintained a 100 percent record in ODIs. His heroic leadership in Australia was a testimony of his skills when things were not going India's way. He proved himself as the ideal candidate to replace Virat Kohli in the Indian Test captaincy role until he lost his batting form. However, the upcoming Ranji season will be a great opportunity for him to get some runs under his belt to hold on to his position on the Indian side.
Ajinkya Rahane has no problem with Prithvi Shaw as the skipper: MCA Official
An MCA official stated that Rahane had been consulted while picking Shaw as the captain. However, Rahane will be mentoring the side as well. In the last few years, the Mumbai side has not got the results in Ranji Trophy as they liked to. The official confirmed that Rahane has no issues with playing under Shaw as the captain. Meanwhile, the squad is likely to be announced in the next two days.
"Captaincy is not important for someone like Ajinkya, who has achieved what was considered to be impossible for a cricket captain."
MCA official was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz
"He has agreed to play as well as mentor the side and help restore the Mumbai glory in domestic cricket. He has no ego issues over the captaincy and has no problem with Shaw as the skipper," the official added.
Rahane will go under the hammer in IPL 2022 mega auction for a base price of INR 1 Crore. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see if the veteran gets a buyer despite his inconsistent form at the moment.
The Ranji Trophy 2022 second phase will commence on February 10, 2022.