Ajinkya Rahane Announces Retirement from International Cricket and All Formats

Veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from international cricket and all forms of the game with immediate effect, bringing an end to a remarkable career that spanned more than two decades in domestic cricket and 12 years at the international level.

Rahane made the announcement through an emotional video shared on his Instagram account on Thursday, saying the time was right to move on from the sport that defined his life.

"I've always relied on timing in my batting, and I've always understood its importance. Today, I feel the timing is right for me to move on and announce my retirement from international cricket and all formats," Rahane said. "From those early days traveling from Dombivli as a young boy just to practice, I gave this game everything I had."

The 38-year-old represented India in 85 Tests, 90 One-Day Internationals, and 20 T20 Internationals between 2011 and 2023. He amassed 8,414 international runs, including 15 centuries, with 5,077 Test runs at an average of 38.46, 2,962 ODI runs at 35.26, and 375 T20I runs.

One of the defining moments of Rahane's career came during India's historic 2020–21 Test series triumph in Australia. Taking over the captaincy after India's collapse for 36 in Adelaide and with regular skipper Virat Kohli returning home, Rahane led a depleted Indian side to a memorable 2-1 series victory, highlighted by his match-winning century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Under his leadership, India won four of the six Tests he captained while drawing the remaining two.

Known for his composure and reliability in overseas conditions, Rahane enjoyed some of his finest moments away from home. He scored eight of his 12 Test centuries overseas, including memorable hundreds in Wellington, Lord's, Melbourne, Kingston, Colombo, and a twin-century performance against South Africa in Delhi in 2015. His performances in England in 2014, including a Test century at Lord's and his maiden ODI hundred at Edgbaston, cemented his place as one of India's most dependable middle-order batters.

Rahane's last appearance for India came in the Test series against the West Indies in July 2023 after making a successful comeback for the World Test Championship final against Australia, where he emerged as India's highest scorer at The Oval.

His final competitive appearance came in the Indian Premier League, where he captained the Kolkata Knight Riders over the past two seasons. With his retirement, the franchise will now begin the search for a new captain after disappointing finishes in the 2025 and 2026 campaigns.

Reflecting on his journey, Rahane expressed gratitude to everyone who supported him throughout his career.

"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," he said.

Rahane also thanked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), his teammates, coaches, IPL franchises, family, and fans for standing by him through the highs and lows of his career.

"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," he added.

Rahane is currently in the United Kingdom, where he is part of the commentary panel for The Hundred, as he begins the next chapter of his association with cricket.