Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing the curtain down on an accomplished India career. Rahane featured in 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is for India. His 5077 runs came at an average of 38.46.
“When the time comes, you simply have to respect it and move forward. I have always relied on timing in my batting, and I’ve always understood its importance. Today, I feel that it is right for me to move on, and announce my retirement from international cricket, and all formats,” Rahane said in a video he posted on Instagram.
Rahane may never have commanded the spotlight like some of his more flamboyant teammates, but he carved out a distinguished international career as one of India’s most dependable overseas batters. He will be remembered above all for leading India to a historic 2-1 Test series victory in Australia in 2020-21 after Virat Kohli returned home following the Adelaide Test.
“From those early days, travelling 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,” Rahane said.
Rahane’s rise began with Mumbai, where he scored more than 1,000 runs in his second Ranji Trophy season. After making his Test debut in 2013, he quickly established himself with gritty performances in Durban and his maiden century in Wellington in 2014. Later that year, his match-defining 103 at Lord’s helped India secure its first Test win at the venue in 28 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 this sport has taught me and giving back to the game that has given me everything.”
He enjoyed a prolific run over the next few seasons, scoring centuries in Melbourne, Colombo and Delhi, while playing several crucial knocks away from home. His century at the MCG in the Boxing Day Test of 2020 remains the defining innings of his career, laying the foundation for one of India’s greatest overseas triumphs.
Dropped in 2022, Rahane earned a recall for the 2023 World Test Championship final, where he emerged as India’s top scorer despite the defeat to Australia.
“There have been many wins and losses along the way, but the shared joy of playing cricket, being part of different teams, and creating lifelong memories, that has been the greatest satisfaction of my career,” the 38-year-old added.
Though best known as a classical Test batter, Rahane also excelled in T20 cricket, enjoying productive IPL campaigns, leading Mumbai to the 2022-23 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title, and producing a memorable 61 off 27 balls for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2023.
“Ajinkium means unbeatable. But cricket has shown me the fit many times. As cricketers, we fail more often than we succeed. My team has lost matches. I have made mistakes, but there is one place where I was never defeated. And that was… in your heart. Thank you for your love. Your faith, and your support. Cap number 278, signing off.”
Published on Jul 30, 2026
