Pujara and Rahane set to be available for Ranji Trophy 2025: Saurashtra Welcomes Pujara, Rahane Steps Down as Mumbai Captain

Two domestic cricketers with international exposure are set to be back on the pitch as the latest Ranji Trophy starts on October 15. Mumbai will miss the 37-year-old Ajinkya Rahane as the captain, handing it over to a young player, but he has confirmed his presence as a player. Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara, who was earlier a prolific top-order batter in the Indian squad, has also shown willingness for the upcoming edition. 

Cheteshwar Puraja Strengthens Saurashtra 

In a revelation by an official from the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA), Pujara’s inclusion for the multi-day game will boost team morale as he brings vast experience. The Saurashtra campaign is excited about the availability of the 37-year-old batter for the fresh season. He has played 103 Tests for India, averaging his runs at a rate of 43.6 with 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries. In the last edition, he accumulated 402 runs out of seven matches, satisfying his team with an average of 40.2, but Saurashtra lost the quarterfinal to Gujarat. The World Test Championship (WTC) final match at the Oval in 2023 was his last match for India.

After getting dropped by the West Zone selectors for the Duleep Trophy, Pujara is laser-focused on the upcoming Ranji season. Saurashtra will take on Karnataka to begin the tournament with their first match.

Test Career Stats: Cheteshwar Puraja

Ajinkya Rahane Bolsters Mumbai

Meanwhile, Rahane expressed his intent to continue with Mumbai to extend his support in winning more trophies. He has led Mumbai in 70 matches with his domestic career spanning over 18 years, including 186 matches across all formats. During his tenure as a Mumbai captain, Mumbai claimed the 42nd Ranji Trophy title in the 2023-24 edition. Before, under him, Mumbai became champion in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Tournament in 2022-23. 

In the previous edition, he played this tournament under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, and Rahane amassed 469 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 164.56. Rahane also brings national side captaincy experience as he was a skipper in six Tests, two T20Is and three ODIs, including the popular at the Gabba and MCG during India’s tour of Australia in 2020-21. 

Test Career Stats: Ajinkya Rahane