Ajinkya Rahane Retires From International Cricket, Emotional in Final Farewell
→ Netherlands Edge Nepal in Super Over Thriller at Titwood
Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket, closing the chapter on a career that spanned more than a decade and produced some of India’s most memorable Test victories.
→ Namibia vs Nepal: ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 Match Preview, Odds, and What’s at Stake
The 36-year-old made the announcement in an emotional video, visibly choking as he reflected on his journey from Dombivli, a suburban town outside Mumbai, to representing India across 85 Tests, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20Is. He said his sense of “timing,” the same quality that defined his batting, told him the moment to walk away had arrived.
A career built in the longest format
Rahane made his white-ball debut in 2011 and played his first Test in 2013, quickly establishing himself as one of India’s most reliable middle-order batters in the red-ball game. His ODI career wound down in 2018, but he remained a Test fixture for years after that, with his last international appearance coming against West Indies in 2023.
His numbers across formats tell the story of a man whose best cricket was always played in whites.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 85 | 5,077 | 38.46 | 12 | 26 |
| ODIs | 90 | 2,962 | — | 3 | 24 |
| T20Is | 20 | 375 | — | 0 | 1 |
The Australia chapter that defined him
If there is one moment that will follow Rahane’s name through cricket history, it is the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Stepping in as captain after Virat Kohli flew home for the birth of his child, Rahane led a depleted Indian side to one of the sport’s great comebacks. He won all six Tests he captained, finishing with a perfect record in the role.
That series, which India won 2-1, is now considered one of the finest overseas Test campaigns any Indian team has produced.
Honesty over everything
In his farewell remarks, Rahane said he always placed the country and the team above personal milestones, and that he played the game with complete honesty throughout. He acknowledged making mistakes along the way, something that visibly moved him as he spoke.
The admission felt genuine. Rahane’s career had its difficult stretches, particularly a prolonged run of low scores that eventually cost him his Test spot. But he never courted controversy, never made headlines for the wrong reasons, and carried himself with a quiet dignity that earned him respect well beyond the dressing room.
What comes next
Rahane has not announced any plans beyond his international retirement, though he has continued playing in domestic cricket and the IPL. His farewell marks the end of a generation of Indian Test batters who came through together, and his departure leaves a gap that is less about statistics and more about the kind of steadiness that does not always show up in a scorecard.
Relevant posts
- Namibia Beat Nepal by 8 Wickets in ICC CWC League Two Thriller
- Pakistan Women vs New Zealand Women: Historic Series Victory
- Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans Match Scorecard: Gill, Rashid Crush Royals
Visit bharatinformation.org for more stories.
