Ajinkya Rahane Retires from International Cricket as Sachin Tendulkar Pays Tribute

Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane announced his immediate retirement from international cricket on July 30, 2026, concluding a career that began in 2013. Following the announcement, legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar paid tribute to his former teammate, praising his selflessness and composure on the field.

What Happened

On Thursday, July 30, 2026, the 38-year-old Ajinkya Rahane officially ended his international career across all three formats. Rahane had last played for India during an away Test series against the West Indies in 2023. Shortly after the decision was made public, Sachin Tendulkar shared a tribute on X, recalling their early days batting together for Mumbai in domestic cricket, playing for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, and appearing together during Rahane’s Test debut on March 22, 2013, against Australia in Delhi.

In his message, Tendulkar stated that Rahane never chased individual moments but was willing to do hard yards for the team. Tendulkar noted that this quality defined Rahane’s finest hour in Australia, where his composure gave the team confidence to be fearless.

Key Highlights

• International Career Overview: Rahane debuted in Test cricket on March 22, 2013, and went on to represent India in 85 Tests, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20 Internationals.
• Test Statistics: Scored 5,077 runs in 144 Test innings at an average of 38.46 and a strike rate of 49.50, including 12 centuries and 26 fifties.
• Limited-Overs Records: Accumulated 2,962 runs in 90 ODIs (87 innings) at an average of 35.26 with 3 centuries and 24 fifties, alongside 375 runs in T20 Internationals.
• Undefeated Captaincy: Led India in 6 Test matches with a record of 4 wins and 2 draws, securing the highest win percentage among Indian Test captains with a minimum of 5 matches.
• Memorable Captaincy Wins: Guided India to a 2-1 series victory during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, including a win at the Gabba that ended Australia’s unbeaten run at the venue. He also captained India to Test wins against Australia in Dharamshala (2017) and Afghanistan (2018).
• Domestic Service: Continued active participation in domestic cricket, leading Mumbai until the 2024-25 season.

Why This Matters

Rahane’s retirement marks the conclusion of an international career highlighted by tactical leadership and key performances in red-ball cricket. His captaincy record remains undefeated in Test matches, highlighted by the historic 2020-21 series win in Australia. His professional relationship with Sachin Tendulkar spans domestic cricket, the IPL, and international fixtures starting from his 2013 debut.

What to Watch Next

With Rahane having captained Mumbai through the 2024-25 season, any future involvement in domestic cricket or non-playing roles will depend on subsequent official announcements.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Ajinkya Rahane retire from international cricket?

Ajinkya Rahane announced his immediate retirement from international cricket on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

What were Ajinkya Rahane’s Test statistics?

In 85 Tests, Rahane scored 5,077 runs across 144 innings at an average of 38.46, recording 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries.

What is Ajinkya Rahane’s record as Test captain?

Rahane was undefeated as India’s Test captain, achieving 4 wins and 2 draws in 6 matches. This gives him the highest win percentage among Indian Test captains who led in at least 5 matches.

Source: CricTracker