Aditya Tare parts ways with Mumbai; set to join Uttarakhand

34-year-old Tare, who played 80 first-class and 73 List A matches, is Mumbai’s last Ranji Trophy-winning captain.

“Since I was about 16 years when I got my first Mumbai cap (under-17) until today at the ripe age of 34 I’ve enjoyed myself, played with absolute pride and lived my dream of being a Mumbai player,” Tare said in a statement. | Photo Credit: PTI

A ‘hurt’ Aditya Tare has decided to move on from Mumbai after being omitted from the Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) list of 47 senior men’s cricketers for the off-season camp ahead of the forthcoming domestic season.

The 34-year-old Tare, who played 80 first-class and 73 List A matches, is Mumbai’s last Ranji Trophy-winning captain and he is expected to play for Uttarakhand this season.

“It’s difficult to put into words how I feel about moving on from Mumbai. Since I was about 16 years when I got my first Mumbai cap (under-17) until today at the ripe age of 34 I’ve enjoyed myself, played with absolute pride and lived my dream of being a Mumbai player,” Tare said in a statement.

“Along the way I’ve had some successes and achievements and also endured criticism and failures but the moments spent with my teammates during those wins and losses have been my most enjoyable memories. The thing that I will miss the most is the Mumbai dressing room, it’s a special place, I was blessed to be a part of it for over a decade with some incredible players and people some of whom have been my best of friends. To all my Mumbai teammates over the years, you guys made me a better player,” an emotional Tare said.

Tare was dropped from the Vijay Hazare Trophy. However, Mumbai chief selector Salil Ankola had earlier told  Sportstar that Tare will be considered only for the Ranji Trophy. “We had made it clear to him last season that he won’t be in the scheme of things for white-ball cricket and red-ball preparation will start only mid-November, so he isn’t a part of the off-season camp,” Ankola had said.

But in his statement, Tare said, “I’m grateful to all my coaches, support staff, selectors and administrators of MCA who’ve played a massive role in my journey as a Mumbai Player.

“I won’t lie, it did hurt a bit the way things ended. But it’s time for new challenges, new environment and I am excited for this new phase in my playing career with so much yet to offer,” he said.

The seasoned campaigner featured in the Ranji Trophy before sustaining an injury in the quarterfinal in June. He eventually missed out on the final. He was also part of the Mumbai Indians squad in the IPL earlier.