Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane downplayed his personal performances in the Ranji Trophy 2024, expressing his satisfaction with his team’s triumph in securing their 42nd title.
Despite his relatively low run tally of 218 runs in 8 matches in the Ranji Trophy 2024, Rahane expressed pride in leading Mumbai to their first title victory in 8 years.
In the Ranji final against Vidarbha, Rahane contributed 73 runs and formed a crucial 130-run partnership with Musheer Khan, guiding Mumbai to a 169-run win at the Wankhede Stadium.
However, Rahane missed out on a century in the final, and his poor show with the bat was talk of the town, but his experience and leadership were instrumental in Mumbai's success this season.
Ajinkya Rahane said: “Ups and downs as a part of the game, I never think about myself, it is always team first. I'm the happiest that we are champions despite me being the lowest run scorer for the team this year. This is a phase every player goes through, you need to keep working hard.”
Meanwhile, Rahane congratulated his good friend and teammate, Dhawal Kulkarni on a remarkable career. The 35-year-old pacer called time on his first-class career with 281 wickets in 95 matches.
He signed off by saying, “I have been playing with him since Under-14 level. We toured U19 for India together. The way he conducts himself on and off the field, sharing his experiences with the younger boys has been really helpful for the side. He has been a role model, someone to look up to. I want to wish Dhawal all the very best in whatever he does with his future.”
