Mumbai, Sep 18, (IANS): India batsman Ajinkya Rahane on Friday was conferred with honorary lifetime membership of Cricket Club of India (CCI) here.

Founded in 1933, the CCI is one of the oldest and most wellknown cricket clubs in India. It was conceived as India's counterpart to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).

Rahane and his wife Radhika Dhopavkar were given membership cards by CCI president Kekoo Nicholson. The couple can now avail all facilities of the club.

"I am really thankful to receive this honorary life membership from CCI. It is a very prestigious membership. I wished to be a member when I first attended a coaching camp here. When I had first entered the stadium, I got a positive vibe," Rahane said after being conferred with the prestigious membership here.

"When we travel abroad for matches, we hear about CCI being a well known and prestigious club. It is a historic venue we all know that. India attained the No.1 Test ranking here (during a Test against Sri Lanka in 2010-11). I am humbled to be here and receive the membership. Thank you again," the Mumbai based batsman said.

The right-handed batsman is currently gearing up for the forthcoming series against South Africa at home.

The 27-year-old Mumbai batsman will feature in all the three formats of the game when the hosts take on South Africa in three Twenty20 International match, five One-Day Internationals (ODI) and four Test starting on October 2.

After Rahane, CCI will also confer honorary lifetime membership on Indian tennis star Sania Mirza on Sunday. She recently won the US Open women’s doubles with Swiss partner Martina Hingis.