Mumbai, Aug. 22 -- Ajinkya Rahane, Mumbai's 2023-24 Ranji Trophy winning captain, announced his decision to step down from the role, saying the time is right to groom a new leader ahead of the new Ranji season beginning in October. The experienced middle-order batter, however, added that he will continue to be part of the Mumbai setup as a batter. Rahane, who has also led the Indian Test team to some famous victories, was in charge of the team in the previous Ranji season, where Mumbai exited in the semi-final. He led the team to the title in 2023-24, beating Vidarbha in the final. He also guided the team to the Irani Cup triumph in 2024-25. "Captaining and winning the championships with the Mumbai team has been an absolute honour," Rahane wrote on his social media accounts. "With the new domestic season ahead, I believe it is the right time to groom a new leader, and hence, I have decided not to continue in the captaincy role. "I remain fully committed to giving my best as a player, and will continue my journey with MCA to help us win more trophies, looking forward to the season," he added. The Ranji Trophy season starts from October 15. Mumbai will take on Jammu and Kashmir in their opener. Rahane will continue to remain a key figure in the Mumbai batting line-up....