BGT-winning captain Ajinkya Rahane retires from all formats
A tearful Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement from international cricket on Thursday, July 30, ending a career that took him from his local Mumbai to some of the biggest stages in world cricket.
Rahane, who led India to one of their most famous Test series victories in Australia, announced his decision through a video on social media. After 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is for India, the former captain decided the timing was right to close the international chapter of his career.
“The reality of life is that everything has a beginning and everything has an end. When the time comes, we just have to respect it and move forward. I have always relied on timing in 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 said.
For most of his career, Rahane has been defined by his timing. In the crease, it was all about poise, patience and knowing when to play shots. Beyond that, his career followed a similar pattern, opportunities appearing, disappearing and returning when he least expected them.
FROM DOMBIVLI TO INDIA CHAP
Ajinkya Rahane made his first-class debut for Mumbai in 2007. Courtesy: PTI
Rahane’s journey began in Mumbai, where he spent his formative years navigating the city’s famously competitive domestic system. The dream, he said, was simple.
“From those early days when I traveled from Dombivli as a small boy just to train, I gave everything I had to this game. Every single day, every innings, every opportunity I got to bat, it was always a dream to wear an India cap. I lived by one simple rule: always put my country and my team before myself.”
He made his first-class debut in Mumbai in 2007 and has spent years building a reputation as one of the most technically sound young batsmen in the country. The call-up to India finally came in 2011 when he made his T20I debut before making his ODI debut later that year.
His Test debut came against Australia in Delhi in 2013.
By then, Rahane had already begun to build a reputation that would become one of the defining features of his international career. He was particularly comfortable in conditions outside India, where his technique and temperament made him one of India’s most reliable middle-order batsmen.
His maiden Test century came against New Zealand in Wellington in 2014. Later that year, he scored 103 at Lord’s as India secured their first Test win at the historic venue in 28 years.
Then came Australia.
Rahane’s 147 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy was one of the innings that made him a true overseas performer. He had the ability to absorb pressure, wait for his scoring opportunities and build an innings when conditions were difficult.
He was also part of India’s 2015 World Cup campaign, scoring 79 against South Africa as India secured a memorable win over the Proteas.
But Rahane’s career was never entirely secure.
He found himself in and out of India’s limited sales plans before eventually becoming primarily a testing specialist. Even in the longest format, however, his place has been repeatedly questioned as India’s batting order has evolved.
And every time his career seemed to be approaching a crossroads, Rahane found another way back.
CAPTAIN WHO WON BGT
The most important of these returns occurred in Australia in 2020–21.
The India tour got off to a disastrous start. They were bowled out for 36 in Adelaide, their lowest total in Test cricket, and then lost their captain.
Virat Kohli returned home after the first Test, leaving Rahane to look after a wounded Indian side that had just suffered one of the most humiliating defeats in its history.
What followed changed the way Rahane’s career would be remembered.
He scored a century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as India bounced back to win the second Test and level the series. However, what stood out more than the runs was the way Rahane led.
India were without several key players at various points in the series but Rahane held the side together. The team won in Brisbane to complete the series with a 2-1 victory, retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in one of the most famous overseas triumphs in Indian cricket.
It was a defining moment of leadership for a player who has rarely been the most vocal presence in the dressing room.
Rahane led quietly as if he was batting. He believed in his players, absorbed the pressure and allowed the team around him to grow into the series.
This became the highlight of his international career.
THE FIGHT AGAIN AGAIN
Rahane’s form dipped after Australia’s triumph and his place in the Test team eventually disappeared. The fall has been heavy for the batsman who was once among India’s most trusted overseas performers. But Rahane has been there before. His career has already taught him that retirement does not necessarily mean the end.
He returned to domestic cricket and continued to work on other opportunities.
That chance came in 2023 when Rahane was recalled to the Indian Test side for the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval.
After more than a year away from Test cricket, Rahane returned to the Indian team and replied with 89 in the first innings. He followed it up with 46 in the second innings and finished the match as India’s leading run-scorer with a total of 135 runs.
It was another comeback from Rahane, but it didn’t lead to a sustained comeback.
He played the next series in the West Indies and his last Test appearance came at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad in July 2023.
India’s doors closed again.
Rahane returned to the Ranji Trophy, continuing to play domestic cricket and hoping another strong run could open him up again. He spent the next two seasons trying to push himself back into the national picture.
It never happened.
Finally, Rahane decided he had waited long enough.
A CAREER BUILT ON A TEAM
Rahane’s international numbers only tell part of the story.
He finished with 5,077 Test runs, including 12 centuries, and over 8,000 runs in international cricket. His best performances often came in SENA countries where he scored 884 runs in Australia at an average of 42 and 402 runs in South Africa at an average of 37.
But Rahane was never particularly interested in making his career about individual numbers.
“I have played the game with absolute integrity and have always believed that if your intention is right, the game will always take care of you. Indian cricket has grown tremendously since I made my debut as a first-class cricketer and I am so proud to have been a part of it over the last 20 years. While my chapter as an Indian cricketer is coming to an end, my journey does not end with this game,” he said.
That last sentence is important.
Rahane’s playing career in India may be over, but he has no plans to retire from cricket.
“I look forward to helping the next generation, sharing the values this sport has taught me and giving back to the game that gave me everything.”
From the home circuit in Mumbai to India, from the World Cup to the Test World Cup, from the famous victory in Australia to repeated battles for place, Rahane’s career has never been straightforward.
“There have been a lot of 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.”
He thanked BCCI, MCA, teammates, coaches, IPL franchises, his wife Radhica, family and friends before turning to supporters who have stuck with him through tough times.
“Thank you BCCI, MCA, my teammates, my coaches, every IPL franchise, Radhika, my entire family, my friends and everyone who stood by me.
“And a very special thank you to all the cricket fans who have supported me through all the highs and lows.
‘ONE PLACE I’VE NEVER BEEN DEFEATED’
Rahane broke down in tears while talking about the end of his career.
There was a hint of irony in the last part of his message. His name Ajinkya means unsurpassable. But his career featured plenty of defeats, both on the field and in the locker room.
“Ajinkya means invincible, but cricket has shown me defeat many times. As cricketers, we fail more often than we succeed. My team lost matches, I made mistakes, but there is one place where I was never defeated and that was in your hearts.”
He then thanked the fans in Marathi for treating him like their own.
“You have always treated me like one of your own. Thank you for your love, faith and support.”
Rahane’s last international innings came three years ago. His last Test century came even earlier in 2020. His place in the Indian plans was gone for a long time before he finally made up his own mind.
But that may have come in handy for Rahane.
He spent most of his career waiting for another chance, taking it when it came and starting over when it disappeared.
Now there is no more comeback to prepare for.
Final check-out only.
“Cap number 278, signing off.
– The end
Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
30 Jul 2026 10:22 IST