Ajinkya Rahane Announces Retirement from All Formats

In an emotional video message posted across his social media handles, veteran Indian middle-order batter Ajinkya Rahane officially announced his retirement from all formats of professional cricket. The 38-year-old, affectionately known as 'Cap Number 278', drew the curtains on a decorated career spanning over 17 years in professional cricket. Signoff with his iconic quote, Rahane reflected on his journey from traveling in local trains from Dombivli as a young boy to representing the Indian national team at the highest level. For more breaking updates and sports highlights, visit our latest sports news section.

A Stellar Career Across Formats for Team India

Rahane made his international debut in 2011 and established himself as one of India's most dependable middle-order batters, especially in challenging overseas conditions. Over his international career, Rahane accumulated impressive numbers across all three formats:

  • Test Cricket: Played 85 Test matches, scoring 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46, featuring 12 centuries and 26 fifties.
  • One Day Internationals (ODIs): Represented India in 90 ODIs, scoring 2,962 runs with 3 centuries and 24 half-centuries.
  • T20 Internationals: Featured in 20 T20Is, tallying 375 runs.

Notably, India never lost a Test match in which Rahane scored a century, underscoring his match-winning contributions. Beyond his batting, Rahane remains the only Indian fielder to take eight catches in a single Test match.

The Unforgettable 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy Triumph

While Rahane delivered memorable performances like his iconic century at Lord's in 2014, his defining leadership moment came during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Stepping in as captain after a devastating defeat in Adelaide and the departure of regular skipper Virat Kohli, Rahane led a depleted Indian side to an extraordinary 2-1 series victory, culminating in the historic conquest at the Gabba. Rahane remains unbeaten as an Indian Test captain with four wins and two draws in six matches.

Domestic Success and IPL Legacy

Beyond international cricket, Rahane was a stalwart for Mumbai in domestic cricket, leading them to their record 42nd Ranji Trophy title during the 2023-24 season. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Rahane amassed over 5,300 runs across 212 matches, representing franchises like Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), whom he captained. Tributes have poured in from fellow teammates and cricket legends worldwide celebrating Rahane's humility, sportsmanship, and selfless dedication to Indian cricket.