Veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing the curtain down on a memorable career that spanned more than a decade. The 38-year-old shared the news through an emotional message on social media, expressing gratitude to teammates, coaches, fans, and his family for their unwavering support throughout his journey.
Rahane represented India in all three formats of the game and earned a reputation as one of the country’s most dependable batters, particularly in overseas Test matches. Over the course of his international career, he featured in 85 Test matches, 90 One-Day Internationals, and 20 T20 Internationals, scoring more than 5,000 Test runs, including 12 centuries.
One of the defining moments of Rahane’s career came during India’s historic 2020–21 Test series victory in Australia. After regular captain Virat Kohli returned home following the opening Test, Rahane led the team to a remarkable 2-1 series triumph, highlighted by his match-winning century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. His calm leadership and composed batting earned widespread praise from the cricketing world.
Although Rahane had been out of India’s plans in recent years, he continued to perform consistently in domestic cricket and remained active in franchise leagues. His final Test appearance for India came in July 2023, while his last ODI and T20I appearances were in 2018 and 2016, respectively.
In his farewell message, Rahane reflected on his journey with pride, saying that wearing the Indian jersey was the greatest honour of his career. He thanked everyone who supported him throughout his international journey and said the time had come to move on from representing the national team.
While stepping away from international cricket, Rahane has not announced retirement from domestic or franchise cricket, leaving the possibility open for fans to see him continue playing in leagues and domestic competitions.
Rahane’s retirement marks the end of an era for Indian cricket. Remembered for his quiet determination, elegant batting technique, and inspirational leadership, he leaves behind a legacy built on resilience, humility, and several unforgettable performances in India’s biggest overseas victories.
