Big news has emerged regarding veteran Indian batsman Ajankya Rahane. Putting an end to speculation about a move into commentary or coaching, Rahane has made it clear that he will continue to excel on the field. He will be playing in the inaugural season of the European T20 Premier League (European T20 Premier League 2026).
In an official announcement on Friday, the franchise confirmed that Ajankya Rahane has joined the Amsterdam Flames as a “marquee player.” The league also features several former cricketers from around the world, including legendary Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Organizers hope the addition of a high-profile player like Rahane will give the new league significant international recognition.
Rahane will play under the captaincy of Mitchell Marsh
The Amsterdam Flames are captained by Australian captain Mitchell Marsh. The team includes several world-renowned players, including:
- Australia: Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh (captain), Tim David
- New Zealand: Michael Bracewell
- England: David Penn, Richard Gleeson
Steve Waugh praised him highly.
Amsterdam Flames co-founder and former Australia captain Steve Waugh welcomed Ajankya Rahane to the team, saying, “Rahane possesses outstanding skill, excellent leadership, and remarkable humility. He embodies all the qualities a professional cricketer should possess. He has left an indelible mark on the cricketing world not only with his play but also with his excellent demeanor on the field.”
Ajinkya Rahane’s international career
Rahane, 38, has played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20 Internationals for India, scoring 5,077, 2,962, and 375 runs, respectively. He scored 12 centuries in Tests and three in ODIs. Additionally, he has played for six different teams in the Indian Premier League; he captained the Kolkata Knight Riders in the last two seasons. He has played a total of 212 IPL matches, scoring 5,367 runs in 197 innings. He has two centuries and 35 half-centuries to his name in the IPL.