Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, bringing an end to an illustrious career that saw him become one of India’s most dependable Test batters. Rahane revealed his decision through an emotional social media post on Thursday, reflecting on his journey and expressing gratitude for the support he received throughout his career.
Rahane, who famously guided India to a historic Test series victory in Australia during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, received praise from Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) president Ajinkya Naik. Calling it the end of a remarkable chapter in Indian cricket, Naik highlighted Rahane’s composure, dedication, and contribution as one of Mumbai cricket’s finest ambassadors.
During his international career, Rahane represented India in 85 Tests, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20Is, while also featuring in 212 IPL matches for six different franchises. Announcing his retirement through a video message on Instagram, Rahane said he believed the timing was right to move forward and thanked the game for everything it had given him.
Rahane made his Test debut during India’s home series against Australia in 2013 and soon became a key part of the team’s middle order, particularly in overseas conditions. He scored 5,077 Test runs at an average of 38.46, with eight of his 12 Test centuries coming outside India, including memorable hundreds in England, New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies.
One of the biggest highlights of Rahane’s career came during India’s unforgettable 2020-21 tour of Australia. After India were bowled out for 36 in Adelaide, Rahane took charge as captain and led the team to a historic series win. He captained India in six Tests, securing victories in four of them.
Reflecting on his journey, Rahane recalled his early days of traveling from Dombivli for practice and his lifelong dream of representing India. He said his focus was always on putting the country and team ahead of himself and expressed pride in being part of Indian cricket’s growth over the past two decades.
In limited-overs cricket, Rahane featured in three World Cups — the 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups and the 2015 ODI World Cup. His last T20I appearance came against the West Indies in 2016, while he last played an ODI in 2018.
Rahane also enjoyed a long IPL career, being part of the inaugural 2008 season and representing multiple teams over the years. His best IPL seasons came with Rajasthan Royals, where he scored over 500 runs in both 2012 and 2015. In 2026, he captained Kolkata Knight Riders and finished the tournament with 335 runs, ending his IPL career with 5,367 runs.
Although his international chapter has ended, Rahane said his connection with cricket will continue as he looks forward to guiding younger players and giving back to the sport. He thanked the BCCI, MCA, teammates, coaches, IPL franchises, family, and fans for their unwavering support.
Signing off as India’s 278th Test cap, Rahane said that while cricket brought victories and defeats, the greatest achievement was earning a special place in the hearts of supporters.