Ajinkya Rahane Retires From All Formats Of Cricket

NEW DELHI-Senior India batter and former Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, bringing the curtain down on a career in which he played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is for India, besides featuring in 212 IPL matches for six franchises.

Rahane, who famously captained India to a historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy series triumph in Australia in 2020-21, last represented the national team during the 2023 Test series against the West Indies.

He announced his retirement in a video posted on social media with the caption, “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… Today, I feel the timing is right for me to move on and announce my retirement from international cricket and all formats,” Rahane said.

The Mumbai batter made his international debut during India’s tour of England in 2011 and went on to score 5,077 runs in 85 Tests, including 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries. He also amassed 2,962 runs in 90 ODIs.

“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,” Rahane said, adding that representing India over the past two decades had been a matter of immense pride.

Rahane also expressed his desire to remain connected with the sport.

“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 said.

Rahane was part of the Indian Premier League from its inaugural season in 2008, representing Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiants, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings. He won his lone IPL title with Chennai Super Kings in 2023 before returning to Kolkata Knight Riders, whom he captained in the 2025 season. (IANS)