Ajinkya Rahane has officially announced his retirement from international cricket and all formats, bringing the curtain down on a legendary career that spanned more than a decade. The veteran batter shared the emotional news through a video posted on Instagram on Thursday, July 30.
The 38-year-old appeared visibly teary-eyed while delivering his farewell message, struggling to hold back his emotions as he reflected on his journey from a young cricketer travelling from Dombivli to practice to representing India at the highest level. Rahane thanked everyone who had been part of his career before signing off as India cap No. 278.
Ajinkya Rahane brings down curtain on legendary cricket career
One of India’s finest Test batters of the modern era, Ajinkya Rahane called time on his international career after representing the country across all three formats. Renowned for his calm temperament and ability to deliver in overseas conditions, Rahane played several memorable innings, including leading India to a historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph in Australia in 2020-21.
While announcing his retirement, Ajinkya Rahane said the time had come to move on from international cricket.
“The reality of life is that everything has a beginning and everything has an end. When the time comes, you simply have to respect it and move forward. I have always relied on timing in my batting and 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. From those early days, travelling from Dombivli as a young boy just to practise, 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.”
“I have made mistakes, but there is one place where I was never defeated. And that was in your hearts” – Ajinkya Rahane
The Mumbai batter also reflected on the highs and lows of his career, saying that while his chapter as an India cricketer had ended, his journey with the sport would continue through mentoring and helping the next generation.
Ajinkya Rahane thanked the BCCI, Mumbai Cricket Association, his teammates, coaches, IPL franchises, wife Radhika, family, friends and fans for standing by him throughout his cricketing journey.
The emotional farewell reached its peak when Ajinkya Rahane spoke about the unwavering support he received from cricket fans despite difficult phases in his career.
“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 it over the last 20 years. 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 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 honour. 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 franchisee, 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 highs and lows. Ajinkya means unbeatable, but cricket has shown me defeat many times. As cricketers, we fail more often than we succeed,” Ajinkya Rahane added.
“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. Thank you for your love, your faith and your support. Cap number 278, signing off.”
Ajinkya Rahane’s complete stats as a cricketer
Ajinkya Rahane leaves international cricket with an impressive record across formats. In 85 Test matches, he scored 5,077 runs in 144 innings at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries, with a highest score of 188. He also established himself as one of India’s safest slip fielders, taking 102 catches in the longest format.
In ODI cricket, Ajinkya Rahane represented India in 90 matches, amassing 2,962 runs at an average of 35.26. His ODI career featured three centuries and 24 fifties, with a highest score of 111, along with 48 catches.
Ajinkya Rahane also played 20 T20 Internationals, scoring 375 runs at an average of 20.83 and a strike rate of 113.29. He registered one half-century, with 61 being his highest score, while taking 16 catches.
His domestic career was equally remarkable. Across 205 first-class matches, Ajinkya Rahane accumulated 14,209 runs at an average of 44.96, smashing 42 centuries and 59 fifties, with a career-best score of 265 not out. In 192 List A matches, he scored 6,853 runs at an average of 39.84, including 10 hundreds and 49 fifties, while also contributing three wickets with the ball.
Rahane also enjoyed a long and successful T20 career. In 308 T20 matches, he scored 7,968 runs at an average of 30.29, registering two centuries and 56 fifties. In the Indian Premier League, he featured in 212 matches for six franchises, scoring 5,367 runs at an average of 30.15 and a strike rate of 125.60. His IPL record includes two centuries, 35 half-centuries, and a highest score of 105 not out, underlining his longevity in the tournament.
