Ajinkya Rahane announces retirement from international cricket
Ajinkya Rahane has bid farewell to international cricket across all formats with immediate effect, announced through a video shared via Instagram.
Rahane donned the India jersey in all formats, playing 85 Tests, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20Is. He made his India debut in the T20I format on August 31, 2011. In an international career spanning 12 years, he scored 5,077 runs in 85 Tests with an average of 38.46, 2,962 runs in 90 ODIs with an average of 35.26, and 375 runs in 20 T20Is with an average of 20.83. The 38-year-old batter represented Mumbai in first-class cricket and scored 14,000 runs in 201 first-class matches with an average of 45.16. On the international level, he registered 15 centuries and 51 half-centuries.
The best moment of Rahane’s career arguably arrived at the 2020/21 Border–Gavaskar Trophy, where he captained India to a historic 2–1 series victory, which included him scoring a memorable century in Melbourne to level the series after suffering a humiliating loss in the first Test. He led the Men in Blue in six Tests with an unbeaten record of four wins and two draws.
Rahane also played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for several franchises (Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiant, Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings), scoring 5,367 runs in 212 matches with two centuries and 30 half-centuries. He also won the IPL title with CSK in 2023.
The 38-year-old has also represented English county teams Hampshire (2019) and Leicestershire (2024).
In his retirement announcement, a visibly emotional Rahane said:
“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’ve always relied on timing in my batting, and I’ve 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 traveling from Dombivli as a young boy just to practice, 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.
“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 the 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 team-mates, my coaches, every IPL franchise, 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. My team has lost matches, I have made mistakes but there was one place where I was never defeated and that was in your hearts. You always treated me like your own. Thank you for your love, your faith and your support, Cap No. 278 signing off.”
