Rahane opts out of remainder of red ball season citing personal reasons

Ajinkya Rahane has informed the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) that he won’t be available for the rest of the red-ball season due to ‘personal reasons’.

Sportstar understands that the former India skipper spoke to the MCA officer-bearers, revealing his decision. Rahane had also skipped the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Mumbai will play the first of its remaining two Ranji Trophy matches against Hyderabad away between January 22 and 25 before returning to its home turf to face Delhi at the MCA-BKC ground from January 29 to February 1.

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The 37-year-old has been playing for Mumbai for the past two seasons and led the team until last year.

Rahane has been in average form in the Ranji Trophy this season, having scored 209 runs in four matches, at an average of 34.84, with only one century – a 159 against Chhattisgarh.

Though Rahane will continue to play for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, he has already taken up roles as a cricket pundit.

Published on Jan 17, 2026