Veteran Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has officially announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a distinguished career that saw him represent the country across all three formats. The 38-year-old shared the announcement through a video on social media on Thursday, confirming that he is stepping away from international cricket and all formats.
Rahane last played for India during the second Test against the West Indies in Port of Spain in July 2023. Since then, he has continued to feature in domestic cricket and franchise tournaments but did not make a return to the national side.
Emotional Farewell
In his retirement message, Rahane said the decision was guided by the same sense of timing that shaped his batting career.
He expressed gratitude to his family, teammates, coaches, support staff and millions of fans who stood by him throughout his journey, adding that representing India was the greatest honour of his life.
A Reliable Performer for India
Rahane made his international debut in 2011 after consistently impressing in domestic cricket for Mumbai. Over the years, he earned a reputation as one of India’s most dependable batters, particularly in overseas Test matches where his composed approach and solid technique often proved valuable.
His international career statistics include:
- Test Matches: 85
- Runs: 5,077
- Centuries: 12
- Batting Average: 38.46
In limited-overs cricket, Rahane also represented India in 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is, contributing important runs during his time with the national team.
Captain of India’s Historic Australia Triumph
One of the biggest highlights of Rahane’s career came during India’s 2020-21 Test tour of Australia.
Following India’s difficult start to the series and the departure of regular captain Virat Kohli, Rahane took over the leadership role. His century in Melbourne inspired a remarkable comeback as India went on to secure a memorable 2-1 Test series victory, including the famous win at Brisbane’s Gabba.
Rahane captained India in six Test matches, recording four wins and two draws without losing a single game.
Continued Success Beyond International Cricket
Although his international opportunities became limited after 2023, Rahane remained active in domestic cricket. He led Mumbai to the Ranji Trophy title during the 2023-24 season and continued to feature in the IPL, where he captained Kolkata Knight Riders after previously leading Rajasthan Royals and Rising Pune Supergiants.
What’s Next for Rahane?
While his international playing career has come to an end, Rahane indicated that he plans to stay connected with cricket by supporting and mentoring young players.
His retirement marks the conclusion of an international journey filled with memorable overseas performances, calm leadership, and unwavering commitment to Indian cricket.
