The domestic season of Indian cricket is about to receive a massive lift as Cheteshwar Pujara has confirmed his participation in Ranji Trophy for Saurashtra. Also the same day, Ajinkya Rahane said he is leaving his captaincy role in Mumbai to be able to concentrate on his playing. Both those transfers are indicators of huge changes to the domestic landscape; Pujara can provide a stabilizing influence to Saurashtra, and Rahane provides a path to new leadership in Mumbai. All these have fans speculating about the future of two of India Test veterans.
Pujara’s Red-Ball Return
At 37, Cheteshwar Pujara remains a rock in red-ball cricket, even if his international days seem behind him. A Saurashtra Cricket Association official couldn’t hide their excitement, saying, “His readiness to play is good news; his experience will be a big advantage.” In the previous season, Pujara was the second-highest scorer in the Ranji with 402 runs in seven matches with only one century and a half-century but Saurashtra lost to Gujarat in the quarterfinal. His final Test was the 2023 World Test Championship final and a recent snub by the Duleep Trophy squad hurt. Nonetheless, he is prepared to toil it out against Karnataka in the first game and help Saurashtra kick-start its campaign.
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Pujara’s commitment isn’t just about runs; it’s about mentoring a young Saurashtra side. His 103 Tests for India, with 7,195 runs at 43.24, make him a walking textbook on batting resilience. The SCA official hinted he’s not fazed by the Duleep omission, focusing instead on helping his state push for the title. With Karnataka’s pace-heavy attack waiting, Pujara’s technique against seamers will be key.
Rahane’s Leadership Exit
Ajinkya Rahane’s decision to step down as Mumbai’s captain caught many by surprise. Captaining Mumbai has been a complete privilege and I think it is time to change out a leader, he added in a statement. Rahane captained Mumbai in 70 matches across formats, and won the Ranji Trophy in 2023-24 and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2022-23.
He topped the list of runs (469 with a strike rate of 164.56) and won Player of the Tournament in the previous year T20 tournament, thus indicating that he was still in good shape.Rahane will not be retiring, and will continue to play to add to his 186 domestic games, and help Mumbai win more silverware.
The move makes sense for a team in transition. Mumbai, with their 42nd Ranji title in the bag, have young stars like Shreyas Iyer and Sarfaraz Khan waiting in the wings. Rahane’s captaincy, including iconic Test wins at the MCG and Gabba in 2020-21, set a high bar, but he’s choosing to lighten his load. The question now is who’ll step up; Iyer, who led Mumbai to T20 success last season, seems a likely pick.
What It Means for the Ranji Trophy
The Ranji Trophy, India’s premier first-class competition, thrives on veterans like Pujara and Rahane bringing their Test-honed skills to the domestic grind. Saurashtra’s campaign gains a backbone with Pujara, whose ability to bat long sessions could counter strong sides like Karnataka or Tamil Nadu. Mumbai, meanwhile, faces a leadership shake-up but benefits from Rahane’s bat staying in the lineup. His 4,312 first-class runs for Mumbai at 44.45 are a testament to his reliability. The season’s key factors include:
- Pujara’s role in guiding Saurashtra’s young batters against top bowling attacks.
- Mumbai’s search for a new captain, with Iyer or Prithvi Shaw as frontrunners.
- How Rahane adapts to playing without the captaincy burden, potentially boosting his output.
Fan Reactions and the Bigger Picture
Social media’s been lively, with fans split on Rahane’s call. Some on X praised his selflessness, saying, “Rahane’s putting team first, class act.” Others worry Mumbai’s leadership void could hurt their Ranji defense. Pujara’s return, though, has fans excited, with posts calling him “the wall of Saurashtra.”
The Duleep snub sparked some grumbling, with one user noting, “Selectors ignore Pujara, but he’ll show them in Ranji.” Both players, out of India’s Test setup, are using the domestic stage to stay relevant, especially with the 2026-27 home Test season looming. Their experience could also mentor the next generation, a role both seem ready to embrace.
A Season of Opportunity
As the Ranji Trophy kicks off, Pujara and Rahane are at career crossroads. Pujara has the tenacity to see Saurashtra through to new heights but Rahane should be clear of mind to deliver runs to Mumbai. The two veterans, who have 159 Tests between them, will provide a useful dose of experience to a tournament that is more about developing talent than lifting trophies. The fans are in for a feast of fantastic tussles, with the Saurashtra opener against Karnataka and Mumbai defending its title among them. The local season is heating, and these two are willing to leave the mark.
