Ajinkya Rahane has retired from all forms of cricket. The former India captain, who famously led the side to a remarkable Test series triumph in Australia in 2020-21, made the announcement in an emotional post on social media on Thursday.
Reacting to Rahane’s decision, Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) president Ajinkya Naik, said, “Ajinkya Rahane’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Indian cricket. His dedication, composure under pressure, and commitment to excellence have made him one of Mumbai cricket’s finest ambassadors. His legacy will inspire generations to come.”
Rahane walks off having featured in 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is for India while also turning out in 212 IPL games for six teams. He put out a video statement on his instagram account making his decision public, where he said: “The reality of life is that everything has a beginning and everything has an end. When the time comes, we simply have to respect it and move forward. I have always relied on timing in my batting and I have always understood its importance. Today, I feel the timing is right for me to move on and announce my retirement from international cricket and all formats.”
Rahane found his way into the Indian Test team in the home series against Australia in 2013 and went on to establish himself as one of the crucial cogs of India’s batting spine for years to come. His 5077 runs came at an average of 38.46. Rahane became a reliable middle-order batter away from home, where eight of his 12 Test tons have come (one each in England and New Zealand and two each in Sri Lanka and West Indies).
One of India’s most memorable away series wins – the Border Gavaskar Trophy of 2020-21 where they bounced back from the ignominous 36 all-out in Adelaide, came under Rahane’s captaincy. He captained six Tests in all, winning four of them.
“From those early days traveling from Dombivli as a young boy just to practice, I gave this game everything I had. Every single day, every innings, every opportunity I got to bat, the dream was always to wear the India cap. I lived by one simple rule: always put my country and my team ahead of myself.I played this game with complete honesty and I have always believed that if your intent is right, the game will always take care of you. Since the time I made my debut as a first-class cricketer, Indian cricket has grown tremendously and I feel so proud to have been a part of over the last 20 years. While my chapter as an Indian cricketer comes to an end, my journey with the game doesn’t,” Rahane said.
In white-ball cricket, Rahane played one World Cup each – the 2014 T20 World Cup and the 2015 ODI World Cup. His last T20I appearance came against West Indies in Lauderhill in 2016 while he hasn’t played the 50-over format since February 2018. He’s had a long IPL career, having featured in the inaugural season of 2008 and missing just the one season (2010) all the way until 2026. His best returns came in 2012 where he scored 560 runs for Rajasthan Royals, and had another 500-plus season in 2015 for the same team. In 2026, he captained KKR and finished with a tally of 335, finishing with a career tally of 5367 in the tournament.
“I look forward to helping the next generation, sharing the values this sport has taught me, and giving back to the game that has given me everything.From starting out as a young player in Mumbai, to playing for India, it has been an absolute honor. There have been many wins and losses along the way, but the sheer joy of playing cricket, being part of different teams, and creating lifelong memories, that has been the greatest satisfaction of my career. To the BCCI, the MCA, my teammates, my coaches, every IPL franchise, to Radhika, my entire family, my friends, and everyone who stood by me, thank you.
“And a very special thank you to all the cricket fans who supported me through every high and low.Ajinkya means unbeatable, but cricket has shown me defeat many times. As cricketers, we fail more often than we succeed. My team has lost matches, I have made mistakes, but there is one place where I was never defeated, and that was in your hearts. (In Marathi) You always treated me like your own.Thank you for your love, your faith, and your support. Cap number 278, signing off.”
More to follow…
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