It is confirmed that experienced India batsman , who led Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL-18, will not be available and so won't lead the Bandra Blasters team in the third edition of T20 Mumbai League [TML] that begins today.

Though the reason for Rahane’s absence is not known, the Bandra team’s head coach Umesh Patwal confirmed that wicketkeeper-batsman Akash Anand will now lead the side.

Akash Anand and Ajinkya Rahane

“We are still trying to have Ajinkya Rahane to play and lead our team, but as there is no confirmation from him, Akash Anand will be leading our team,” head coach Patwal told mid-day on Wednesday.

On May 27 mid-day had reported that Rahane may skip the .

‘Will miss his experience’

Meanwhile, new skipper Anand admitted that his team will miss Rahane’s experience as they begin their campaign against North Mumbai Panthers at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday. “Ajju dada’s guidance would have helped not just me, but everyone in the team. But whatever his reason for being unavailable, it’s fine, because for the last week or so we have been mentally prepared that this might happen.

New leadership role

Anand, who has previously led the Cricket Club of (CCI) in club cricket and Bank of Baroda in office cricket, is eager to live up to the expectations of his franchise. “To bat and to keep wickets has always been my duty, so that’s not new to me. The leadership role is new because though I have been leading CCI and Bank of Baroda for the last couple of years, this stage is bigger as it’s franchise cricket. I hope to do well,” added Anand, who was informed of his captaincy just a few hours before their practice session on Tuesday.