Mumbai : Veteran India batter Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from international cricket. The experienced cricketer made the announcement on July 30 through an emotional social media post after remaining out of the Indian team for the last three years.
Rahane was once a key member of India’s Test middle order alongside Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara. However, he lost his place in the side following a prolonged dip in form. He played his last Test for India against the West Indies on July 20, 2023. His final ODI appearance came in 2018, while he last featured in a T20 International in 2016.
One of the highlights of Rahane’s international career was leading India to a historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory in Australia in the absence of Virat Kohli, with several senior players unavailable due to injuries.
Rahane Shares Emotional Farewell Message
In his retirement message, Rahane wrote:
“The truth is that everything in life has a beginning and an end. When that time comes, you simply have to respect it and move forward. I have always trusted my timing as a batter and understood its importance. Today, I feel this is the right time for me to move on and announce my retirement from international cricket and all formats.”
He further said:
“From the days when I was a young boy travelling from Dombivli just to attend practice, I gave this game everything I had. Every day, every innings and every opportunity to bat was driven by one dream—to wear the India cap. I always lived by one simple rule: keep my country and my team ahead of myself. I played this game with complete honesty, and I have always believed that if your intentions are right, the game will always take care of you.”
Proud to Have Been Part of Indian Cricket
Reflecting on his journey, Rahane said Indian cricket has evolved significantly since his first-class debut and that he feels proud to have been a part of that journey over the past two decades.
He added that while his chapter as an Indian cricketer has ended, his journey with the game is far from over. He expressed his desire to help the next generation, share the values cricket has taught him, and give back to the sport that has given him everything.
Thanks Family, Teammates and Fans
Rahane said it was a privilege to progress from being a young cricketer in Mumbai to representing India on the international stage. He described the victories, defeats, friendships and lifelong memories as the greatest rewards of his career.
He thanked the BCCI, MCA, his teammates, coaches, every IPL franchise, his wife Radhika, his family, friends and everyone who stood by him throughout his career.
In his final message to fans, Rahane said:
“Thank you to every cricket fan who stood by me through every high and low. Ajinkya means ‘the one who cannot be defeated’. Cricket has shown me defeat many times. As a cricketer, we fail more often than we succeed. My team has lost matches. I have made mistakes. But there is one place where I never lost—and that was in your hearts. Thank you for your love, faith and support. Signing off as Cap No. 278.”
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.