Rahane drew the curtain on a distinguished career that spanned over a decade for Team India.
Ajinkya Rahane on Thursday (July 30) announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, drawing the curtain on a distinguished career that spanned over a decade for Team India.
The veteran batter confirmed his decision on Instagram with a statement, “Cap 278 signing off. Thank you for all the love and support over the years. Forever grateful.”
"The reality of life is that everything has a beginning and everything has an end. When the time comes, you simply have to respect it and move forward. I have always relied on timing in my batting and have always understood its importance," Rahane said.
"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, travelling 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," he added.
"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," he further stated.
"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 this sport has taught me and giving back to the game that has given me everything," he continued.
Rahane also thanked the BCCI, Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), his teammates, coaches, IPL franchises, family, friends and fans for their support throughout his journey.
"And a very special thank you to all the cricket fans who supported me through every high and low. 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. Thank you for your love, your faith and your support. Cap number 278, signing off," he concluded.
Known for his exceptional technique, calm demeanor, and incredible resilience under pressure, Ajinkya Rahane was a cornerstone of India’s middle-order when the team held the No.1 Test rankings from 2016 to 2021.
The 38-year-old represented India in 85 Tests, amassing 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries and 26 fifties. He featured in 90 ODIs, scoring 2,962 runs with 3 centuries and 24 half-centuries. He played 20 T20Is, scoring 375 runs.
Rahane will forever be remembered for captaining the Indian team to one of its greatest-ever achievements—the historic 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph in Australia. Stepping in as skipper under immense pressure after a humiliating defeat in Adelaide, his masterful century at Melbourne and calm leadership galvanized a bruised, injury-depleted squad to secure an iconic 2-1 series victory.