Veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane on Thursday announced his retirement from international cricket and all forms of the game, bringing the curtain down on a distinguished career that spanned more than a decade at the highest level.
The 38-year-old made the announcement through a heartfelt video message on social media, stating that the time felt right to move on from a sport that had shaped his life since childhood.
Rahane represented India across all three formats between 2011 and 2023, featuring in 85 Tests, 90 One-Day Internationals and 20 T20 Internationals. His final appearance for the national team came during a Test match against the West Indies in July 2023.
Over the course of his international career, Rahane scored 5077 runs in Test cricket at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries. He also accumulated 2962 runs in ODIs with three hundreds, while adding 375 runs in T20Is.
While his batting achievements were significant, Rahane will perhaps be remembered most for one of the greatest captaincy performances in Indian cricket history.
The right-handed batter led India in six Test matches, winning four and drawing two, but his defining moment came during the memorable 2020-21 tour of Australia.
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After India suffered a crushing defeat in Adelaide, where they were bowled out for just 36 runs, regular captain Virat Kohli returned home on paternity leave. Ajinkya Rahane stepped in as captain and guided a depleted Indian side to a remarkable turnaround.
Under his leadership, India levelled the series with an emphatic victory in Melbourne before securing a draw in Sydney. The tour culminated in a historic triumph at Brisbane’s Gabba, where India chased down 328 runs on the final day to seal a famous 2-1 series victory.
The achievement remains one of the most celebrated overseas successes in India’s Test history and cemented Rahane’s reputation as a calm and dependable leader.
Explaining his decision to retire, Rahane said timing had always played a crucial role in his batting career and that he believed it was the right moment to step away from professional cricket.
“I’ve always relied on timing in my batting, and I’ve always understood its importance,” Rahane said. “Today, I feel the timing is right for me to move on and announce my retirement from international cricket and all formats.”
Reflecting on his journey, the veteran batter spoke emotionally about fulfilling his dream of representing India and the values that guided him throughout his career.
“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,” he said.
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“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.”
Rahane also expressed pride in having witnessed Indian cricket’s growth during his two decades in the game and revealed his desire to remain involved by helping younger players.
“While my chapter as an Indian cricketer comes to an end, my journey with the game doesn’t. I look forward to helping the next generation, sharing the values the sport has taught me, and giving back to the game that has given me everything.”
The former India batter became emotional while thanking the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Mumbai Cricket Association, his teammates, coaches, family and fans for their support throughout his career.
Rahane’s final competitive appearance came for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and his retirement now leaves the franchise searching for a new captain ahead of the next season.
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