Ajinkya Rahane highlights importance of freedom and confidence as Mumbai secure ₹1 crore prize for breaking 27-year Irani Cup drought

Veteran Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane stressed the significance of empowering players with 'freedom' and 'confidence' as Mumbai was honored with a ₹1-crore prize by the Mumbai Cricket Association for their remarkable victory in the Irani Cup.

Rahane-led Mumbai ended a 27-year wait to win the tournament last week in Lucknow, defeating Rest of India on basis of the first-innings lead.

Besides the BCCI's prize money of ₹50 lakh, the MCA on Monday announced an additional ₹1 crore during a felicitation ceremony. The announcement was made by MCA secretary Abhay Hadap.

"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,” Rahane said when asked about his performances as a captain for both Mumbai and India.

“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,” he added.

India and Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan, who was the player-of-the-match for his unbeaten 222, said he had promised his younger brother Musheer to make a hundred on his behalf.

Musheer had met with a road accident before the game when he was trailing from his hometown Azamgarh to Lucknow. He was present in the felicitation ceremony wearing a neck support.

“I have learnt a lot at that level,” Sarfaraz said about his brief stint in Test cricket earlier this year.

“I told him that if I cross fifty, I will make a 200 in which one hundred will be for you,” he said.

“Every tournament (in which) we go forward, we look to create that sort of camaraderie and that relationship in the dressing room and the bond which we create is the result of all these trophies,” said Shreyas Iyer, who scored a vital 57 in the first innings.