Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has announced the 16-member Mumbai squad for the Irani Cup 2024/25 on Tuesday (September 24). The former Indian Test vice-captain has been selected as the captain of the Mumbai team. 

Like most of the previous years, the reigning Ranji Trophy champions will start the first-class cricket season with the Irani Cup, where they will face the Rest of India. Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow will host this match from October 1. Last season, Mumbai extended their most Ranji Trophy titles record by winning it 42nd time. 

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Mumbai previously won the Irani Cup in 1997/98

It will be the first time for Mumbai to compete in the Irani Cup since 2016/17. The last time they played the Irani Cup was in the 2015/16 season, where they lost by four wickets. 

The Rest of India have won the Irani Cup for record times, 30 times. They have won all the last three Irani Cups. Meanwhile, out of participating 29 times, Mumbai have recorded 14 Irani Cup successes, the second most successful team in the Irani Cup history. 

The last time Mumbai won the Irani Cup was in the 1997/98 season. Under the leadership of Sanjay Manjrekar, Mumbai won that match by 53 runs. 

Ajinkya Rahane will lead Mumbai in the Irani Cup 

Former Indian Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, who led the Indian team in 11 international matches (six Tests, three ODIs, and two T20Is), will lead the Mumbai team in the upcoming Irani Cup. 

Prithvi Shaw, Musheer Khan, Shreyas Iyer, and Shardul Thakur have been named in the 16-member Mumbai squad. 

The Irani Cup 2024/25 will start on the last scheduled day of the Kanpur Test. So, the players in the Indian team squad are unable to participate in the Irani Cup. However, if Sarfaraz Khan and Shivam Dube are released from the Indian Test team, they can join the Mumbai team for the Irani Cup.  

According to the latest BCCI report, Sarfaraz Khan has been released from the Indian squad to be available for Mumbai in the Irani Cup.            

Meanwhile, the MCA also announced the 25-member probable Mumbai squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2024/25. 

Mumbai squad for the Irani Cup 2024/25

Ajinkya Rahane (Captain), Prithvi Shaw, Ayush Mhatre, Musheer Khan, Shreyas Iyer, Siddhessh Lad, Suryansh Shedge, Hardik Tamore (WK), Sidhaant Addhatrao (WK), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Himanshu Singh, Shardul Thakur, Mohit Avasthi, Mohd. Juned Khan, Royston Dias

Probable Mumbai squad for the Ranji Trophy 2024/25

Ajinkya Rahane, Prithvi Shaw, Ayush Mhatre, Musheer Khan, Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Siddhessh Lad, Suryansh Shedge, Hardik Tamore (WK), Sidhaant Addhatrao (WK), Shardul Thakur, Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Himanshu Singh, Mohit Avasthi, Mohd. Juned Khan, Royston Dias, Harsh Tanna, Prasad Pawar (wk), Shashank Attarde, Karsh Kothari, Atharva Ankolekar, Jay Bista, Saksham Jha

Veteran India batter Ajinkya Rahane has signed to play in the second half of the county season with Leicestershire. He will be available for the One-Day Cup and five County Championship matches as well.

Rahane, however, was about to join Leicestershire last summer too before getting a recall to India’s Test team for the World Test Championship final as well. He then joined the Indian team and subsequently did not play for the county last year.

“We are thrilled to welcome someone of Ajinkya’s quality to Leicestershire,” Claude Henderson, Leicestershire’s director of cricket, said. “It was unfortunate that Ajinkya’s schedule didn’t quite work with ours last year, but it’s a massive boost to have secured his services for the business end of this season.”

“He holds immense experience and vital leadership qualities, which will be hugely beneficial to the team alongside his run-scoring ability. Ajinkya’s arrival also presents a fantastic opportunity for our batters to learn from one of the game’s best,” he further added.

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However, Ajinkya Rahane played both of India’s Tests last July but has not featured in the team since then. He has scored more than 13,000 runs in first-class cricket, which came at an average of 45.76, and another 6475 at 39.72 in List A as well.

Meanwhile, his arrival in mid-July will help the team amid the expected departure of South Africa allrounder Wiaan Mulder on international duty as well. This move will also help strengthen Leicestershire’s defence of the One-Day Cup that they memorably lifted last September as well.

Ajinkya Rahane said: “I’m really excited to have another opportunity to come to Leicestershire. I’ve built a strong rapport with Claude and [head coach] Alfonso [Thomas], and I’m looking forward to playing for the club this summer. I followed the team’s results last year and was very impressed with what I saw. I’m hoping to enjoy my cricket and contribute to more success for the club this season.”

Chennai Super Kings, the five-time champions of the Indian Premier League, showcased a flawless performance on their home turf, delivering a crushing 63-run defeat to the Gujarat Titans. The defending champions outclassed last year’s finalists, extending their unbeaten streak this season.

CSK exhibited a stellar all-round performance, with their batsmen shining in the first innings, enabling them to set a formidable target of 206 for 6. Subsequently, they efficiently restricted the opposition to 143 for 8. This victory propelled them to the summit of the IPL 2024 points table, securing four points from two matches.

MS Dhoni and Ajinkya Rahane proves that they will always shine

In the match against Gujarat Titans at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, the seasoned campaigners of Chennai Super Kings, MS Dhoni and Ajinkya Rahane, showcased exceptional fielding skills. Dhoni, aged 42, executed a remarkable catch to his right, dismissing Vijay Shankar, while Rahane, aged 35, took a sensational catch in the deep to dismiss David Miller.

Despite Dhoni retiring from international cricket in 2020 and Rahane nearing the twilight of his career, their fielding prowess was a sight to behold. The electrifying catches were met with resounding cheers at Chepauk, as Chennai asserted their dominance over Shubman Gill’s team.

Shivam Dube continues his 7^th 50 in IPL

Chennai Super Kings’ all-rounder continued his impressive form in the 2024 Indian Premier League with a blistering half-century against the Gujarat Titans at the Chepauk Stadium. Dube’s knock of 51 runs off just 23 deliveries, coming in at number 4, was instrumental in setting up a challenging total for CSK. The powerful all-rounder smashed two fours and five sixes during his innings.

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This performance follows his unbeaten 34 in the opening match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he steered CSK to victory. Partnering with New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell, Dube forged a crucial 51-run partnership that firmly placed CSK in control against the Gujarat Titans. Despite being dismissed by Rashid Khan soon after reaching his fifty in just 22 balls, Dube’s explosive innings at a strike-rate of 221.73 significantly boosted CSK’s total.

Rachin shows his stunning performance

Rachin Ravindra continued his remarkable performance in the Indian Premier League. Facing the Gujarat Titans at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Ravindra provided Chennai Super Kings with a flying start, smashing 46 runs off just 20 balls. He capitalized on the GT pace attack, led by Azmatullah Omarzai and Umesh Yadav, showcasing his prowess in front of the enthusiastic Chennai crowd.

The promising left-handed batsman from New Zealand partnered with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad to open the innings for CSK. Despite being acquired for a modest Rs 1.8 crores in the IPL 2024 auction, following his stellar performance in the ODI World Cup 2023, Rachin proved to be a valuable asset for CSK. His explosive starts in both matches exemplified his potential for a remarkable season in the Indian Premier League, reinforcing CSK’s trust in him.

In a showdown between young captains, Ruturaj Gaikwad emerged victorious, dealing Shubman Gill his first defeat as Gujarat’s captain. This win not only marked CSK’s triumph but also enhanced their head-to-head record against GT in the IPL, with both teams now having secured three victories in their six encounters. Notably, CSK had previously clinched victory against GT in last year’s final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, securing their fifth IPL title and equalling a record.

In the ongoing IPL 2024 clash between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane showcased exceptional presence of mind and athleticism to dismiss Virat Kohli.

Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli provided RCB with a solid start, amassing 41 runs swiftly before Mustafizur Rahman claimed du Plessis’ wicket and Rajat Patidar’s in the fifth over, putting CSK in a commanding position. In the subsequent over, Deepak Chahar removed the threatening Glenn Maxwell, further denting RCB’s progress at 42 for 3.

Kohli and Cameron Green then stabilized the innings, but just as Kohli seemed to be settling in and preparing to accelerate, Rahane intervened with a remarkable effort. CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad reintroduced Mustafizur into the attack, which yielded immediate dividends.

Rahane and Ravindra shine as CSK takes control against RCB

On the second delivery of the over, Mustafizur delivered a back-of-length ball, prompting Kohli to attempt a pull shot. Though Kohli made decent contact, the lack of pace on the delivery prevented him from clearing the boundary. Despite placing his shot between two deep fielders, Kohli’s hopes were dashed by Rahane’s exceptional fielding.

Rahane charged in from deep mid-wicket, executing a sliding catch before swiftly returning the ball to Rachin Ravindra as his momentum carried him towards the boundary. Replays confirmed Rahane’s release of the ball before touching the boundary, leaving Kohli with no choice but to depart.

Making their IPL debut in this match, Mustafizur Rahman and Rachin Ravindra wasted no time in leaving their mark, taking less than five overs to announce their presence. RCB captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and elected to bat first.

Watch Rachin Ravindra’s catch:

Du Plessis came out aggressively, accumulating 31 runs off just 20 balls by the end of the fourth over. He dispatched Deepak Chahar for a boundary in the opening over and added two more off Tushar Deshpande’s bowling in the second over. In the third over, he punished Chahar with four boundaries.

With Du Plessis in sublime form, CSK needed something extraordinary to dismiss him, and Rachin Ravindra provided exactly that. Ruturaj Gaikwad entrusted Mustafizur Rahman with the fifth over, and it took just three balls for him to make an impact.

SEE ALSO: CSK vs RCB, Match 1, IPL 2024: Mustafizur’s early breakthrough sends RCB on backfoot

On the fourth delivery of the same over, Mustafizur struck again, removing Cameron Green for 18, leaving RCB struggling at 78 for 5. As of the report’s writing, Anuj Rawat showcased brilliance with a remarkable 48-run innings, forming a crucial partnership of 95 runs with the experienced Dinesh Karthik (38*), propelling Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a total of 173 for six against Chennai Super Kings.

In a recent report, it has been disclosed that a contingent of seasoned Indian players is slated to accompany the India-A team for crucial red-ball practice sessions in preparation for their impending Test engagements. This strategic move is set to unfold as the veterans gear up to travel with India A for one of the three scheduled four-day matches, strategically placed ahead of the two-match Test series against South Africa.

The broader cricket itinerary for the Men in Blue encompasses three ODIs and three T20Is against South Africa, spanning from December 10 to 21. Simultaneously, India A is scheduled for a shadow tour in South Africa.Among the senior players anticipated to participate with India A are notable names such as Ravichandran Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane, and Jaydev Unadkat.

Strategic Move: Indian Veterans Boost India A’s Red-Ball Preparation Ahead of Test Series

Their inclusion is seen as a deliberate effort to hone their skills and gain match fitness before joining the primary squad for the forthcoming Test series against the Proteas.Additionally, emerging talents including Abhimanyu Easwaran, B Sai Sudharsan, Yash Dhull, KS Bharat, Upendra Yadav, and Saurabh Kumar are expected to feature prominently for India A against South Africa.

This presents a valuable opportunity for these players to fine-tune their skills in anticipation of the upcoming Ranji Trophy season.A reliable source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed, “Yes, there are three four-day tests between India ‘A’ and South Africa ‘A’ next month.

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The team for that will be announced in some days. Most of the consistent young performers along with those (seniors) who need some game time before the two Test matches in Centurion (December 26 to 30) and Cape Town (January 3-7) will be there.”

Amidst this strategic planning, Team India is endeavoring to bounce back from their recent disappointment in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023, where they were defeated by Pat Cummins-led Australia.

Undeterred by this setback, the team swiftly staged a comeback, clinching victory in the first T20I of the ongoing five-game series against Australia by two wickets. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, Team India aims to build on this positive start and maintain momentum in the subsequent matches.

In a surprising twist, Indian selectors appear to be signaling the conclusion of Ajinkya Rahane’s illustrious test career. Despite Rahane’s significant contributions, recent reports indicate a potential shift in the dynamics of the Indian cricket team.

There is speculation that selectors are contemplating excluding Rahane from the upcoming test series in South Africa, opting instead to nurture younger talents for a sustainable future. This strategic decision has paved the way for KL Rahul, a versatile player with recent success in the white-ball format and the potential to serve as a backup wicketkeeper.

Ajinkya Rahane, once a cornerstone of the Indian test team and the vice-captain, now faces uncertainties about his place in the squad. The selectors’ intent becomes clearer as they express a commitment to building a team for the long term, taking into account the return of Shreyas Iyer to test cricket and the promotion of Shubman Gill to the No. 3 spot.

The emerging narrative suggests that Rahane might not secure a place in the playing XI, presenting an opportunity for KL Rahul to not only contribute as a batsman but also potentially assume the role of a backup wicketkeeper.

Ajinkya Rahane on the Sidelines: A Shift towards Youthful Dynamism

The potential sidelining of Ajinkya Rahane signifies a strategic shift toward a more youthful and dynamic approach in Indian cricket. KL Rahul’s dual capabilities as a proficient batsman and a potential backup wicket-keeper make him a compelling prospect for the upcoming test series.

A source revealed to TOI, “The selection committee is very clear that it wants to groom players who will play together for a longer period of time. With Shreyas Iyer coming back into Test reckoning and Shubman Gill batting at No. 3, there is little scope for Rahane.” This statement underscores the selectors’ deliberate vision to invest in youth and construct a team for the future. Rahane’s recent performances and fluctuating form seem to be working against him, prompting the selectors to explore alternative options.

The addition of KL Rahul as a reserve wicket-keeper brings an extra dimension of adaptability to the team. With his proven proficiency behind the stumps in limited-overs cricket, Rahul’s capabilities go beyond his batting prowess.

The source also disclosed, “KL Rahul might be contemplated for Test matches as a secondary wicket-keeping alternative.” This indicates that the selectors see Rahul not just as a candidate for a batting spot but also as a safeguard for the wicket-keeping position, offering the team increased versatility.

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The last eighteen months were pretty tough for Ajinkya Rahane. He lost his spot on the Indian Team after a poor year and was finally left out after the South African Tour in early 2022. The loss of spot resulted in Ajinkya Rahane heading back to the grassroots level. He played a season of Domestic Cricket, did well, but not enough to lighten up the tournament. In his place, Shreyas Iyer, who walked into his middle-order spot looked very good against spin and was playing some intentful Cricket.

A strong start to his career put the brakes on Ajinkya Rahane’s comeback discussion as Rahane was left forgotten. He did still have a considerably good season in Ranji Trophy with more than 600 runs, and came back into the spotlight via the IPL, where Ajinkya Rahane looked high on confidence, batting with some incredible intent. While IPL performances should not warrant a spot on the Test side, Ajinkya Rahane did enough to make his Ranji performances and experience speak.

Weeks ago, the World Test Championship Final looked like a far and long-gone dream. Now, Ajinkya Rahane stands in UK waiting for the Test to begin, along with Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara, a trio who have carried the Test batting line-up for a decade. He is not the only one to have made an exceptional return to the Indian ranks though.

Cheteshwar Pujara too was dropped after the South Africa series in 2022 with 95 Test Capst to his name. At that stage, it looked highly unlikely for him to add to his tally as well. Pujara though got back into his groove as he went to England to play some County Cricket in 2022. During the County season he became an integral part of the Sussex line-up, scoring runs for fun as he transformed his game as well, batting with a lot more intent. With runs in England, Pujara made it back into the Indian Team and has earnt his spot back as a reliable member of the side.

With Pujara and Rahane back, India has their old warhorses together once more. The same pair was the only pair of Cricketers to last through all four Tests against Australia in the famous 2020-2021 Test series. The Duo, along with Virat Kohli have seen it all as they grew together during a two-year-long overseas touring marathon from 2013-2015, and now it is upon the trio once more to see them through the Finals as India look to end their ICC Trophy drought.

The moment coming up is pretty big. The trio though, very different in personality, will be unfazed. They have gone up against the Australians many times together and will be eager to get going against Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, continuing yet another famous battle.

Both Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube came into the season with their career in different situations. Ajinkya Rahane was dropped from the Test side and a comeback looked very unlikely with Rahane falling off the radar. Shivam Dube was nowhere near the same radar as a failed stint with the Indian team and the presence of Hardik Pandya left him forgotten. Compared to Pandya at one stage for his hitting ability and ability to provide some overs, Shivam Dube came in having to emulate someone he just could not.

In the IPL too, Dube did not have the performances to put him in the spotlight. CSK though have managed to find ways to get the best out of both Shivam Dube and Ajinkya Rahane.

Ajinkya Rahane’s buy initially seemed questionable. His form across formats was not to great and with the standard of T20 Cricket changing his game did not seem like it would find a spot with sides looking for big hitters. Rahane though found himself in the squad, and jumped on his first opportunity as he made the side when Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes were unavailable. In his first game in the yellow jersey, Ajinkya Rahane flicked a switch. He made a quickfire 61 off just 27 balls to show that he can bat at higher gears, and topped that up with a 29 ball 71 against the Kolkata Knight Riders.

All of a sudden Rahane was finding the boundaries with ease and looked completely different with the bat. His six-hitting skill was on show and all of a sudden, after some good numbers in Ranji Trophy as well, Ajinkya Rahane finds himself back in the Test squad for the World Test Championship Finals.

Coming to the IPL Finals though, the role of Ajinkya Rahane looked rather uncertain with the required rate pretty high. Although Rahane has been clearing the ropes nicely this season, the image of him batting at faster rates is not something that could strike viewers straight away. His style of hitting too makes it tougher to see him as a big hitter as Rahane continues to time his shots rather than power them over the ropes.

He came in with the required rate past eleven and played two glorious shots to state his intentions. The first was a pull over square leg and the second was a straight drive timed to perfection as it went past the ropes effortlessly. He continued to work his magic as he hit two fours of Rashid Khan when the game looked like it was slipping away, keeping the Super Kings alive.

At the other end for most of the part though was Shivam Dube. This season has seen Shivam Dube make a huge transformation. His Six-hitting ability was given the full backing and Dube was given a clear role as CSK’s enforcer against the spinners. He hit 35 sixers in the season and when it mattered the most, Shivam Dube took on Rashid Khan.

Like Rahane, Shivam Dube managed to clear the fence when the game was once again looking far from the Chennai Super Kings. Through most of his innings, Dube struggled to get under the ball and he looked very flustered. The big stage looked like it was getting the better of him. Against Rashid Khan though, in the 12th over, Dube found two balls in his arc and launched them straight over the fence to get the Super Kings rolling towards the back end of the innings.

He was used in a specific role this season as CSK backed him to find the momentum against spin, and Dube did exactly that in the Finals and through the league stage. The tournament has helped him rediscover his form and Shivam Dube now looks a lot more dangerous, particularly against the spin bowlers.

In the focused energy IPL 2023 Finals, Ajinkya Rahane exhibited his phenomenal batting ability by and by as he crushed one more staggering six in the equivalent over. Joshua Little of the Gujarat Titans was the bowler who was hit this time. The spectators were mesmerized by Rahane’s two sixes in an over, which added even more excitement to the thrilling encounter.

Rahane hit the ball superbly, timing it perfectly and swinging the bat fully

The effect reverberated through the stadium as the ball cruised high and long. As though time had immediately stopped, each of the 11 players on the field transformed into simple observers, appreciating the magnificence of Rahane’s shot.

When Little hit a ball outside off stump that was slightly fuller, the moment arrived. Rahane seized the opportunity and unleashed a powerful swing through the line, undeterred by the previous six. Rahane extended his drive, producing immense power and elevation, and the shot’s timing and execution were flawless.

It was breathtaking to watch the ball soar into the night sky. The direction was immaculate, and the association among bat and ball was unadulterated flawlessness. The group ejected in sheer enjoyment as the ball cleared the limit ropes easily, stamping one more dynamite six for Rahane.

Twitter was quite hyped about Rahane’s good form:

The inclusion of Ajinkya Rahane in India’s squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final has caused controversy among cricket fans worldwide. While a lot of experts and fans think it’s a step backward, others say Rahane’s return isn’t just due to his IPL form. They also say that his experience will be useful in English conditions against a team like Australia. The genuine purposes for Rahane’s re-visitation of the Test side following 15 months won’t be known as the choice panel gave out no subtleties.

Iyer recently had surgery on his back, and it will be some time before he can play again.

Irfan, on the other hand, was quick to point out that Rahane’s performance in the IPL 2023 for Chennai Super Kings will boost his confidence when he plays at The Oval on June 7.

“As far as the current form is concerned, he is looking in great touch. The format in which he is playing now is completely different but Rahane’s performance on foreign pitches has always been good and this has gone in his favour,”

Irfan added.

In this IPL, Ajinkya Rahane’s aggressive batting style has blown everyone away

In just five matches, he has scored 199 points while making as many as 11 sixes. To place things in context, Rahane’s best-at-any point strike rate in one season was 137 out of 2019 when he was a piece of the Rajasthan Royals.

Taking everything into account, the veteran of 82 Tests has scored 634 runs in 7 matches in the last Ranji Prize at a normal of 57. Due to his two towering scores of 191 and 204, his season was powered by just one half-century, so the average might be misleading.

However, in the absence of Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer, the selection committee has decided to rely on Rahane’s previous performance. They did have Sarfaraz Khan and Suryakumar Yadav as options, but they had never played in a Test match outside of India, so it wouldn’t have been wise to throw them into a big match like the WTC final.