Ajinkya Rahane has retired from international cricket. The 38-year-old, who captained India to one of their greatest ever Test series victories in Australia, announced his decision via a social media post on Thursday with the caption: "Cap 278 signing off."
The announcement marks the end of a career that saw Rahane establish himself as one of India most dependable Test batters and one of the country finest overseas performers. His defining moment came during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, when he captained an injury-ravaged Indian side to a remarkable 2-1 series victory in Australia.
The Australia Triumph That Defined His Career
To understand why Rahane retirement matters, you need to understand what he achieved in Australia. After India were bowled out for 36 in the first Test at Adelaide — their lowest ever Test score — Virat Kohli returned home on paternity leave. The series looked over. Australia were overwhelming favorites.
Then Rahane stepped up. He scored a match-winning century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, leading from the front as India won the second Test. From there, the team grew in confidence. They drew the third Test, then won the fourth at the Gabba — a fortress where Australia had not lost since 1988.
It was one of the greatest comebacks in cricket history. And Rahane was the man who made it happen.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Rahane international career numbers are impressive:
- Tests: 85 matches, 5,077 runs at 38.46, 12 centuries, 26 fifties
- ODIs: 90 matches, 2,962 runs at 35.26, 3 centuries, 24 fifties
- T20Is: 20 matches, 375 runs
- Total international runs: 8,414 across 195 matches
But numbers only tell part of the story. Rahane was known for his ability to perform in crucial moments. His overseas record was outstanding, with centuries in Australia, England, South Africa, and New Zealand.
The Unbeaten Captain
Perhaps the most remarkable stat from Rahane career is his captaincy record. He captained India in 6 Test matches, winning 4 and drawing 2. He never lost a Test as captain.
That unbeaten record as Test captain is one of India rarest achievements. It speaks to his ability to lead from the front and inspire players around him, even when the odds were stacked against the team.
The Partnership with Kohli
Rahane and Virat Kohli formed one of India most productive batting partnerships in Test cricket. Together, they accumulated 3,661 runs in 67 Test innings at an impressive average of 56.32.
Their most significant stand came in October 2016, when they stitched together a monumental 365-run partnership for the fourth wicket against New Zealand in Indore — a record for India at that position.
Kohli led the tributes after Rahane retirement, describing the veteran as his "favourite Test batting partner."
Why He Retired Now
Rahane last played for India during the Test tour of the West Indies in July 2023. Since then, he has been active in domestic cricket, playing Ranji Trophy for Mumbai and captaining Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.
Despite strong domestic performances, the selectors never gave him another chance. After playing two full seasons of Ranji Trophy without getting a recall, Rahane decided it was time to move on.
"Today, I feel the timing is right for me to move on and announce my retirement from international cricket and all formats," Rahane said in his retirement message.
The Legacy
Ajinkya Rahane legacy extends beyond statistics. He was the quiet leader who stepped up when India needed him most. He was the technically sound batsman who performed in overseas conditions where many others failed. And he was the man who led one of the greatest comebacks in cricket history.
As he said in his retirement message: "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 is one place where I was never defeated. And that was in your hearts."
The Bottom Line
Ajinkya Rahane retirement marks the end of an era in Indian cricket. He was not the most flashy player, but he was one of the most reliable. His captaincy in Australia will forever be remembered as one of Indian cricket greatest achievements. Cap 278, signing off.
Sources
- India Today — BGT-winning captain Ajinkya Rahane retires from international cricket
- Times of India — Cap 278 signing off: Ajinkya Rahane retires
- LatestLY — Virat Kohli calls Rahane favourite Test batting partner
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ajinkya Rahane retire?
Rahane retired because he was not getting selected for India despite strong domestic performances. After playing two full seasons of Ranji Trophy without a recall, he decided the time was right to move on from international cricket.
What is Rahane most famous for?
Rahane is most famous for captaining India to a historic 2-1 series victory in Australia during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He took over after Virat Kohli returned home and led an injury-ravaged team to one of cricket greatest comebacks.
How many Test matches did Rahane captain India?
Rahane captained India in 6 Test matches, winning 4 and drawing 2. He never lost a Test as captain, making him one of India most successful Test captains in terms of win percentage.
What is Rahane international career record?
Rahane played 85 Tests (5,077 runs, 12 centuries), 90 ODIs (2,962 runs, 3 centuries), and 20 T20Is (375 runs). He scored 8,414 international runs across 195 matches.