India legend Ajinkya Rahane brings decorated career to an emotional close

The former India captain made a name for himself as an incredibly dependable top-order batter across the three formats. But it's the 38-year-old's efforts in Test whites that garnered the most attention.

Rahane's flawless technique earned him 5077 test runs at an average of 38.46m along with 12 centuries, one of which is on the Lord's honours board. He also captained the side that fought back from being bowled out for 36 in Australia to defeat the Baggy Greens 2-1 in what was an historic summer of 2020/2021. In fact, Rahane is undefeated as a Test captain, leading India in six matches to win four and draw two.

The orthodox right-hander was no slouch in the white-ball format either, picking up 2962 ODI runs at 35.26 with three hundreds, and 375 T20I runs at 20.83 with a strike rate of 113.29.

The Maharashtra native led the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2026 IPL, scoring a brisk 63 while opening the batting. That innings would be his last.

"I've always relied on timing in my batting, and I've always understood its importance," Rahane said in a video he posted on Instagram on Thursday.

"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 from Dombivli 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. 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.

"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 the sport has taught me, and giving back to the game that has given me everything.

"To the BCCI, the MCA, my teammates, my coaches, every IPL franchise, to Radhika, my entire family, my friends, and everyone who stood by me, thank you. And a very special thank you to all the cricket fans who supported me through every highs and lows."

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