Former India cricketer Pravin Amre paid rich tributes to Ajinkya Rahane, who announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on July 30, 2026. He announced in a video on his social media accounts.
Rahane had made his Test debut in 2013 in Delhi against Australia and went on to play 85 games, scoring 5077 runs at an average of 38.46 with the highest score of 188, including 12 centuries and 26 fifties. He also played 90 ODIs, scoring 2962 runs with 3 centuries and a highest score of 111. He made 375 runs in 20 T20Is as well.
He also captained India in 6 Tests, winning four and drawing 2, which included leading India to the 2021 Border-Gavaskar Trophy win in Australia.
His former coach Pravin Amre praised the batter’s leadership and temperament during India’s memorable tour of Australia in 2020-2021. Amre recalled Rahane's incredible comeback in Australia following India's dismissal for 36 in the Adelaide Test, saying the right-hander displayed some of the best batting and leadership during that series.
“We know what he did in Australia with that particular innings in Melbourne, especially after the team was bowled out for 36 in the previous match. From there, picking the team, performing, leading from the front, and getting that hundred… I think that is the art of batsmanship and also the art of leadership in how to play, where morally the team was down, and from there, beating the mighty Australians on their own soil,” Amre said, and from there, beating the mighty Australians in their own soil,” Amre said as per PTI.
Amre described Rahane as a player who consistently delivered when the team needed him the most.
“Ajinkya Rahane was always a silent warrior because he knew that whenever his team needed him, he was there for the team. That is the way he had grown up, and his attitude was like that. I’m really proud of it because most of them came in adverse situations, and that’s the art of batsmanship,” he added.
Among Rahane's many outstanding innings, Amre singled out his 103 at Lord's during India's 2014 tour of England, which played a critical role in India's legendary victory.
“The innings at Lord’s on the green top wicket, because we always know when you perform, especially at Lord's; it is always a special moment. " I personally feel that I was very happy to see his name on the honors board," Amre said.
However, Rahane's defining leadership moment occurred during the 2020-2021 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, when he led a decimated Indian team to a historic 2-1 series triumph in Australia.
Amre likened the success to India's fight back during the Kargil conflict, when Indian soldiers had to overcome challenging circumstances against the Pakistani army, who had higher ground.
“I remember talking to him that time when India lost that Test match (in Adelaide) and he became a captain. I personally feel like it was exactly like the Kargil moment because the opponent was on top, they (the Indian team) were down, and from there they went on to win the series," Amre said.
Rahane last played competitive cricket in IPL 2026, where he led Kolkata Knight Riders.
