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Ajinkya Rahane Emphasizes Importance Of Player Freedom After Mumbai’s Irani Cup 2024 Win

Ajinkya Rahane during his knock in Irani Cup 2024 [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]Ajinkya Rahane during his knock in Irani Cup 2024 [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]

Ajinkya Rahane led Mumbai cricket team to a remarkable Irani Cup 2024 win in Lucknow earlier this month. The outcome also ended Mumbai’s 27-year-old wait of lifting the coveted title. The team was subsequently awarded a sum of Rs. 1 crore by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) for their historic victory.

After the match, Mumbai skipper Ajinkya Rahane emphasised the importance of giving players the ‘freedom’ and ‘confidence’ and described every cricketer a potential match-winner.

Ajinkya Rahane signifies important traits of captaincy

When asked about his performance as Mumbai captain, Ajinkya Rahane said that he is a firm believer to consider all players as equally important in the team. He said:

“There is no secret to success. I am a firm believer of the thought that this game is not for individuals, there are 11 players playing and 4-5 are sitting outside. All the players are equally important.”

Ajinkya Rahane also emphasised the importance of giving players freedom and confidence, and stated that every cricketer is a potential match-winner in their own capacity. He added:

“As a captain it is important to give them freedom and confidence because every player in their own capacity is a match-winner. Every player has a responsibility. Those sitting outside can give such inputs which as a captain on the field might not think of.”

As the action panned out in Lucknow, Mumbai defeated Rest of India courtesy of a first innings lead. The 2023-24 Ranji Trophy winners amassed 537 runs upfront, largely owing to a splendid double century from Sarfaraz Khan.

Captain Ajinkya Rahane (97) and fellow senior man Shreyas Iyer (57) also listed cunning half-centuries after Mumbai had crashed to 37-3 within the opening hour of play.

Bowlers Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian picked up three wickets each to envelop Rest of India for 416 as Mumbai gained a huge 121-run lead. Kotian also smacked a swift second-innings century on Day 5 to ensure the match ended as a high-scoring draw.