Veteran batsman Ajinkya Rahane showed he still has plenty left in the tank as he scored his 42nd first-class century to lead Mumbai’s recovery against Chhattisgarh in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 Round 2 match at the BKC Ground on Friday, October 25, 2025.
After Mumbai stumbled to 38 for 3 in the early stages, Rahane produced a masterful innings to guide his team to 251 all out, demonstrating the experience and class that made him one of India’s most dependable Test batsmen.
Ajinkya Rahane Match Summary
| Match Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Mumbai vs Chhattisgarh |
| Tournament | Ranji Trophy 2025-26, Round 2 |
| Venue | BKC Ground (MCA Cricket Ground), Mumbai |
| Date | October 25, 2025 (Day 1) |
| Toss | Chhattisgarh won, chose to field |
| Mumbai Score | 251 all out |
| Rahane’s Score | 100+ (42nd first-class century) |
| Lad’s Score | 80 |
Rahane Rescues Mumbai After Early Wobble
Mumbai’s innings began disastrously. Chhattisgarh’s professionals made early inroads, reducing the hosts to 38 for 3. Former Vidarbha Ranji winner Aditya Sarwate struck first, drawing a return catch from Musheer Khan (12 off 31 balls). Ravi Kiran then pinned opener Angkrish Raghuvanshi lbw for 9, before dismissing pinch-hitter Himanshu Singh for a duck.
Enter Ajinkya Rahane. The 37-year-old veteran counter-attacked brilliantly, reaching his half-century off just 78 balls with a ramped four over third man. His aggressive approach, featuring 32 boundary runs out of his first 52, set the tone for Mumbai’s fightback.
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The Century That Showcased Class
Rahane reached his milestone with a well-controlled dab past slip fielder Sanjeet Desai, showcasing the soft hands and tactical awareness that defined his international career. Upon reaching three figures, he pointed toward the Mumbai dressing room—a gesture signaling his commitment to the team despite no longer wearing the captain’s armband.
Rahane got to his 42nd first-class century with a well-controlled dab past slip, and pointed to the Mumbai dressing room to show he’s there for the team.
The BKC pitch offered assistance to both pace and spin, making Rahane’s century even more valuable. He countered Chhattisgarh’s spinners expertly, including a nifty paddle sweep off left-arm spinner Ajay Mandal that took him into the 80s.
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Valuable Support from Siddhesh Lad
Rahane wasn’t alone in the rescue mission. Siddhesh Lad, who had scored a century in Mumbai’s opening fixture against J&K, provided crucial support with a well-made 80. The pair steadied the innings after the early collapse and reached 97 for 3 at lunch, with both batsmen unbeaten.
Their partnership flourished post-lunch, with Mumbai reaching 166 for 3 in 55 overs before the partnership was broken.
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Post-Tea Collapse Tests Rahane’s Resolve
After tea, Mumbai suffered another wobble. Lad departed for his well-deserved 80, followed immediately by Sarfaraz Khan’s disappointing dismissal for just 1 off 6 balls. The right-hander, coming off non-selection for India and India A, chipped a weak catch to short midwicket off Aditya Sarwate’s left-arm spin.
Despite losing partners around him, Rahane remained unfazed, continuing his march toward a century that would prove his worth under new captain Shardul Thakur’s leadership.
Rahane’s Season and Recent Form
The 37-year-old stepped down as Mumbai captain ahead of this season, with Shardul Thakur taking over the leadership role. Playing under new management hasn’t affected Rahane’s determination to contribute significantly.
This century comes after a challenging start to Mumbai’s campaign. The 42-time champions lost their opening match against Jammu & Kashmir, increasing pressure on the experienced batsmen to deliver. Rahane has been Mumbai’s steady hand, and this innings reinforces his value to the team.
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The Road Ahead for Mumbai
Mumbai, placed in Elite Group D alongside Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Hyderabad, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Pondicherry, and J&K, reached the semi-finals last season before losing to eventual champions Vidarbha.
With experienced campaigners like Rahane, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, and Shardul Thakur in their ranks, Mumbai remain strong contenders for the title.
Rahane’s First-Class Legacy
Ajinkya Rahane made his first-class debut for Mumbai in the 2007-08 Ranji Trophy season. Since then, he’s amassed over 12,000 first-class runs, including 42 centuries. His highest first-class score of 265* came against Hyderabad in the 2009-10 season.
While he hasn’t featured in India’s Test squad since the 2023 West Indies tour, Rahane continues to showcase his batting prowess in domestic cricket, proving that age is just a number when you have class.
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Other Ranji Trophy Round 2 Highlights
Day 1 of Round 2 saw several notable performances across venues:
- Tamil Nadu posted 261/1 with Vimal Khumar scoring 144
- Punjab’s Harnoor Singh scored 86 against Kerala
- Ravindra Jadeja approached a half-century for Saurashtra against Madhya Pradesh
- The Assam vs Services match took a dramatic turn and is expected to finish on Day 2
FAQs
Q1: How many first-class centuries has Ajinkya Rahane scored?
Ajinkya Rahane has now scored 42 first-class centuries, with his latest coming against Chhattisgarh in Ranji Trophy Round 2 on October 25, 2025. The 37-year-old veteran played a crucial innings to rescue Mumbai from 38/3, eventually helping his team reach 251. Rahane reached his century with a controlled dab past slip and celebrated by pointing to the Mumbai dressing room.
Q2: What was Mumbai’s score against Chhattisgarh on Day 1?
Mumbai scored 251 all out against Chhattisgarh on Day 1 after winning the toss and choosing to bat at BKC Ground. After a shaky start at 38/3, Ajinkya Rahane’s century and Siddhesh Lad’s 80 helped Mumbai recover. However, they lost wickets in clusters post-tea, with Sarfaraz Khan dismissed for just 1 run off 6 balls, contributing to the eventual collapse.
