Former India Cricketers Pay Tribute as Ajinkya Rahane Retires from All Competitive Cricket

Former Indian cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Irfan Pathan offered heartfelt tributes to veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane after he announced his retirement from all formats of competitive cricket. The Mumbai batter shared his decision through a social media post, ending an international career that spanned over 12 years across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

What Happened

Rahane officially retired from all competitive cricket on Thursday, July 30, confirming his decision through a social media statement. Following the announcement, former teammates praised his achievements, leadership, and conduct throughout his career. Yuvraj Singh posted a tribute on Instagram, praising Rahane for making the most of every opportunity while representing India across all formats and leading the nation successfully in major matches. Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan shared a post on X, highlighting Rahane’s memorable contributions to Indian cricket, with special reference to his performances in Australia.

Key Highlights

• Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement from all competitive cricket after more than 12 years in international cricket, having made his debut in 2011.
• He featured in 85 Tests for India, scoring 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries.
• In limited-overs cricket, he scored 2,962 runs in 90 ODIs at an average of 35.26 with three hundreds, along with 375 runs in 20 T20Is.
• Rahane served as Test captain in six matches, maintaining an unbeaten record with four victories and two draws.
• During the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, he took over leadership after the Adelaide Test and led an injury-hit Indian team to a historic 2-1 series victory, highlighted by his Boxing Day Test century at Melbourne.

Why This Matters

Rahane’s career stands out for his dependable batting in overseas conditions and his calm leadership during critical periods. Taking charge when regular captain Virat Kohli went on paternity leave following India’s low score of 36 in Adelaide, Rahane rallied the team in Australia. His composed century in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne helped lay the foundation for India’s 2-1 series victory, cementing his role in a significant era for Indian Test cricket.

What to Watch Next

With Rahane’s active playing career now concluded, discussions among former colleagues and supporters focus on his legacy across all three formats and his successful, undefeated tenure as Test captain.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Ajinkya Rahane make his international debut?

Ajinkya Rahane made his international debut for India in 2011.

What is Ajinkya Rahane’s record as Test captain?

Rahane captained India in six Test matches, winning four and drawing two, finishing his tenure unbeaten as Test captain.

How many runs did Rahane score in Test cricket?

Rahane scored 5,077 runs in 85 Test matches at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries.

Source: crictracker.com