NEW DELHI: India allrounder Shardul Thakur has been named captain of Mumbai for the upcoming Ranji season after Ajinkya Rahane decided to step down from his leadership role on Thursday, The Indian Express reported.

Shardul has been rewarded for his long and distinguished career with Mumbai. Since making his first-class debut in 2012, he has taken over 300 wickets for the side. In recent years, his consistent contributions with the bat have further strengthened his case, earning him the captaincy of the 42-time Ranji Trophy champions for the 2025–26 season.

Shardul, who was part of India's Test squad for the England tour, now has an opportunity to showcase his leadership skills in the domestic season. According to The Indian Express, Rahane was consulted before the final decision on the new captain was made.

Earlier in the day, Rahane announced on social media that he was stepping down from the captaincy of Mumbai cricket, stating that he felt it was the right time to groom a new leader.

"Captaining and winning championships with the Mumbai team has been an absolute honour. With a new domestic season ahead, I believe it's the right time to groom a new leader, and hence I've decided not to continue in the captaincy role," Rahane wrote on X.

"I remain fully committed to giving my best as a player and will continue my journey with @MumbaiCricAssoc to help us win more trophies. Looking forward to the season," he added.