1 month ago
Ajinkya Rahane Retires After Two-Decade India's Cricket Career
Ajinkya Rahane, a famous Indian cricketer, said he would stop playing for India in all types of matches.
He had played 85 Test games, 90 One-Day games, and 20 Twenty‑Twenty games, scoring thousands of runs.
He was especially known for being a good batsman when India played away from home.
He also led the team to a big win in Australia in 2021 when the regular captain was on leave.
Friends, teammates, and even a famous Olympic medalist praised him for being a team player and a good leader.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India thanked him for his hard work and wished him well for the future.
He will now focus on other things after a long and successful cricket career.
Ajinkya Rahane announced retirement from all formats of international cricket on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
He played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20Is, scoring 5,077 Test runs and 2,962 ODI runs.
Rahane captained India to a historic 2-1 Border‑Gavaskar Trophy win in Australia in 2020‑21, leading a depleted side after Virat Kohli’s paternity leave.
BCCI President Mithun Manhas praised him as a team‑first player and a dependable overseas batsman.
Former teammates and sports stars, including PV Sindhu, Shikhar Dhawan, and Jasprit Bumrah, paid tribute to his leadership and character.
- Who
- Ajinkya Rahane, former Indian cricketer
- What
- Retired from all formats of international cricket
- Where
- India
- When
- Thursday, July 30, 2026
- Why
- Decided to end a long career after a distinguished run
Key facts
- Name
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Nationality
- Indian
- Matches
- 85 Tests, 90 ODIs, 20 T20Is
- Runs
- 5,077 Test runs, 2,962 ODI runs
- Captaincy
- 6 Tests as captain
- Retirement Date
- Thursday, July 30, 2026
- Key Achievement
- Led India to 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy win
Quotes
Devajit Saikia
BCCI Honorary Secretary
“"Ajinkya Rahane’s career is a fine example of what it means to put the team first. He earned his reputation through performances in some of the toughest conditions in world cricket and became one of India’s most dependable batters overseas."”
thestatesman.com
thehansindia.com
“"Ajinkya, you can be immensely proud of the way you led India and the way you played this great game. You played cricket with the utmost sincerity and integrity, qualities every dressing room values."”
thestatesman.com
PV Sindhu
Two‑time Olympic medallist
“"His match‑winning century at Lord’s in 2014 showcased immense character and class in difficult English conditions, and it remains a testament to courage, composure and resilience."”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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