Experienced campaigner Ajinkya Rahane deeply values the tradition of consistently participating in domestic matches to hone his skills as a seasoned cricketer. Therefore, it was no surprise when he commended the BCCI on Thursday for its efforts in encouraging players to excel in red-ball cricket.
The BCCI has been actively advocating for senior cricketers to engage in red-ball cricket, particularly through domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy.
"I'd like to express my appreciation for the BCCI's emphasis on domestic cricket, which is crucial. Allowing players to participate in domestic cricket is highly significant," Rahane remarked after leading Mumbai to their 42nd Ranji Trophy title, extending their record.
Recently, the board excluded middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer and wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan from the central contracts list for disregarding the Indian team management's advice to play in the Ranji Trophy to regain form and fitness.
Reflecting on their victory, Rahane emphasized the importance for Mumbai to sustain their performance in the upcoming seasons. Mumbai clinched their first Ranji Trophy title since 2015-16 by defeating Vidarbha by 169 runs in the final at the Wankhede Stadium.
This triumph marked Mumbai's 11th victory in 13 finals held at the Wankhede, showcasing their dominance in the Ranji Trophy.
"For us, it's crucial that in recent years, as a team, we've been performing well. Our players are representing the Indian team, which bodes well for Mumbai cricket," Rahane expressed to the media after leading his team to victory.
"I'm not concerned about other teams, but for Mumbai cricket, it's essential to keep evolving and striving for improvement in all formats. We aim to replicate this success in the future, and our focus will be on that," he added.
Rahane highlighted that Mumbai can take pride in the fact that many of their players are either playing for India across formats or have been in the national squad recently.
"This victory holds immense significance for us. It's special to see nearly 10 players from Mumbai representing India across formats. We're delighted for those representing India from the Mumbai team," Rahane expressed his joy.
The win also marked the retirement of Mumbai and India seamer Dhawal Kulkarni, who retired after an illustrious career, having taken 281 wickets in 95 first-class matches, and also representing India in 12 ODIs and two T20Is.
Kulkarni stated that he harbors no regrets about not having a longer international career, focusing instead on contributing to cricket in whatever capacity possible.
"As for the past, it's behind me. I prefer looking ahead to the future. I acknowledge that I could have played more for the Indian team," Kulkarni remarked.
He expressed his willingness to contribute to the sport in any role, emphasizing his desire to give back to cricket, whether through coaching or other avenues.
Kulkarni, who played a pivotal role in Mumbai's victory, credited their patience and teamwork in overcoming Vidarbha's resistance.
"Winning a final in a hard-fought manner is immensely satisfying, and that's what we achieved as a team. We remained composed under pressure, bowled exceptionally well, and everyone contributed. It was a collective effort," Kulkarni stated.
Rahane praised Mumbai's head coach Omkar Salvi, describing him as a significant influence on their success.
"Omkar made a huge difference. Our journey as a team began under his guidance, starting from June 2023. He instilled a strong emphasis on fitness, cultivated a positive team culture, and provided freedom to players both on and off the field. Supporting struggling players was a key aspect of his coaching philosophy," Rahane credited Salvi.
Kulkarni echoed Rahane's sentiments, stating that Salvi created the ideal environment for their team.
"When you seek a coach, you want someone who connects with the team. Omkar has been that person whom everyone respects. He has been instrumental in my bowling career," Kulkarni added.
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