Ajinkya Rahane, the former India captain who famously led the national side to a historic Test series victory in Australia during the 2020-21 campaign, has officially retired from all forms of cricket. The veteran batter shared the news in an emotional statement posted to his social media accounts on Thursday.
Reflecting on his decision, Rahane stated, "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’s storied career included 85 Test matches, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20Is for India. A mainstay of the Indian Test team since his debut against Australia in 2013, he accumulated 5077 runs at an average of 38.46. Known for his resilience away from home, eight of his 12 Test centuries were scored in foreign conditions, including matches in England, New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies. As captain, he led India in six Tests, securing four victories, most notably the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph.
Beyond international duty, Rahane maintained a long-standing presence in the IPL, appearing in 212 games for six different franchises. Debuting in the inaugural 2008 season, he finished his tournament career with 5367 total runs. His white-ball experience also spanned three World Cups: the 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups and the 2015 ODI World Cup.
Mumbai Cricket Association president Ajinkya Naik praised the player, stating, "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."
In his farewell, Rahane put out a video statement on his Instagram account making his decision public. He expressed gratitude to the BCCI, the MCA, his family, teammates, and the fans. "From starting out as a young player in Mumbai, to playing for India, it has been an absolute honour," he said. "(In Marathi) You always treated me like your own. Thank you for your love, your faith, and your support. 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."
