Ajinkya Rahane played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20is for India from 2011-2023.
Ajinkya Rahane, a former Indian batter who just announced his retirement from all kinds of sports, disclosed the players who communicated with him. The 38-year-old claimed that renowned batsman Sachin Tendulkar was the first to speak with him and inquire as to why he did not pursue a lengthier career.
Rahane talked about the players who spoke to him a week and a half after he announced his retirement. In addition, Rahane included five more names, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who had communicated with him by message or phone.
"The first call came from Sachin (Tendulkar) paaji, who said he thought I would play for longer. I told him I didn’t want to drag on because I was retiring without any regrets. Irfan Pathan also called, while Pujara, Virat, Rohit, and Bumrah all messaged me. I told everyone the same thing: I was satisfied because I had given everything to the game,” Rahane said as per Indian Express.
Rahane called time on his international career after 5077 runs in 85 Tests, with 12 centuries and an average of 38.46. He also made 2962 runs in 90 ODIs, with 3 centuries and an average of 35.26. Rahane also played 20 T20Is, scoring 375 runs with one fifty to his name.
Rahane also retired from the IPL after scoring 5367 runs in 212 games with a strike rate of 125.60 and 2 centuries and 35 fifties to his name.
Ajinkya Rahane, who captained India in 6 Tests and won 4 out of them and drew two, revealed that he cried a lot after recording the video announcing his retirement.
"After recording the video, I cried a lot. I was emotional while discussing retirement with my family, but I didn’t expect the recording itself to affect me so much. The reality hit that I would no longer do something I had loved for years. That thought stayed with me throughout the recording," said Rahane.
The crowning moment of Rahane’s captaincy was leading India to a 1-2 Test series win over Australia down under after India lost the first Test in Adelaide after being bowled out for 36.