Veteran Indian cricket team batsman Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. Rahane shared an emotional video message, saying goodbye to his 19-year-long cricket career. His decision marks the end of his international, domestic, and IPL careers.
Announcing his retirement, Rahane said that every beginning has an end and that he now feels the time is right to say goodbye to cricket. He expressed gratitude to his teammates, coaches, family, and fans for the support he received throughout his journey.
Rahane made his international debut for India in 2011. In his 12-year international career, he played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20 Internationals. His last international match was against the West Indies in Port of Spain in 2023, after which he was retired from Team India.
In his international career, Rahane scored over 8,000 runs, including 15 centuries. He scored 5,077 runs in Test cricket, 2,962 runs in ODIs, and 375 runs in T20 Internationals. In the IPL, he scored 5,367 runs in 212 matches, including two centuries.
The most memorable chapter of Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy was the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Following the Adelaide Test defeat and the absence of regular captain Virat Kohli, he led the team to a historic 2-1 Test series win in Australia. This victory is considered one of the most memorable achievements in Indian cricket history.
Rahane’s retirement marks the end of an important chapter in Indian cricket. He will always be remembered as a player with a calm demeanor, reliable batting, and a knack for leading the team in challenging situations.