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

Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket with immediate effect on Thursday through a social media post, bringing the curtain down on an illustrious career spanning 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is. The veteran batter last represented India in the second Test against the West Indies in July 2023.

Among the defining moments of Rahane’s international career was his inspirational captaincy during India’s historic 2-1 Test series triumph in Australia in 2020-21. Stepping in after the Adelaide Test, where India were dismissed for 36, Rahane guided an injury-hit side to one of the greatest overseas series victories in Indian cricket history.

Rahane finishes his innings of 12 years that spanned from 2011 to 2023 with a record that saw 5077 runs at an average of 38.46 with 12 centuries. His stint in the white ball saw him score 2962 runs at an average of 35.26 with three centuries and 375 T20I runs at 20.83 with a strike rate of 113.29. He led India in six Tests, of which they won four and drew two.

“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,” Rahane said in an Instagram video.

“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”

Rahane is currently on the commentator’s panel in England for The Hundred.