Ajinkya Rahane Announces Retirement From International Cricket After 12-Year India Career

One of India’s most underrated and understated test cricketers, Ajinkya Rahane who famously scripted the Border-Gavaskar trophy win over Australia down under in 2020-21 has called it a day from international cricket today. In an era marked by larger-than-life personalities, Rahane built a reputation as one of India’s most dependable overseas batters and a respectable leader.

His prolonged career in Indian colours that lasted about 12 years was defined by resilience, tenacity, and calmness rather than fanfare. In a heartfelt note on social media, the 38-year-old confirmed that time has come for him to bow out of international cricket in all formats. His final appearance for India came in the second test against the West Indies in July 2023 at Port of Spain.

Announcing his retirement on social media, Ajinkya Rahane said, “I have always relied on timing in my batting, and I have 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.”

Ajinka comes from an era of Indian cricket where many young cricketers had to wait for a long time to get their due recognition despite producing brilliant performances at the domestic level and on a consistent basis. Having risen through the formidable cricketing structure of the Mumbai Ranji team, Rahane, eventually, after a lot of toil, made his international debut in 2011 and went on to establish himself as one of the most dependable batters, especially in tough and challenging overseas conditions.

His calm demeanour, temperament and compact technique made him an asset in the Indian middle-order batting line-up during one of India’s most successful eras in Test cricket. Rahane played 85 tests and scored more than 5000 runs with 12 centuries. He also represented India in 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is, where he amassed 2962 and 375 respectively.

Amongst his many on-field heroics be it at the international or domestic level, if there is one chapter that will define his legacy in Indian and world cricket, it would be the 2020-21 tour to Australia. After the regular team captain, Virat Kohli returned home following a humiliating 36 all-out at Adelaide, Rahane stepped up to take over the skipper’s role and led the team with quiet authority and aplomb that won the heart and minds of the millions of cricket fans, and pundits.

His series-defining century at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) set the perfect tone for one of cricket’s greatest comeback stories, before eventually scripting a famous 2-1 series win. Despite injuries to many of the key players in the team, Rahane inspired a young Indian side who went to breach the Australian fortress of over 40 years at the Gabba. He captained India six times in tests in his career, and remained undefeated, India won four matches and two were a draw.

“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.” Rahane said.