Ajinkya Rahane Announces Retirement from All Forms of Professional Cricket

Rahane’s most recent competitive appearance was for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the latest IPL season. His departure necessitates a leadership change for the franchise, as he had served as KKR’s captain for the previous two seasons, during which the team finished seventh in 2026 and eighth in 2025.

Spanning 12 years from 2011 to 2023, Rahane’s international legacy includes 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46 with 12 centuries, 2,962 ODI runs at 35.26 with three hundreds, and 375 T20I runs at an average of 20.83 with a strike rate of 113.29. He also captained India in six Test matches, securing four victories and two draws.

“I have always relied on timing in my batting and have understood its vital importance,” Rahane remarked in a video shared on Instagram. “Today, I feel the time is right for me to move on and announce my retirement from international cricket and all formats. From my early days traveling from Dombivli as a young boy just to practice, I gave this game everything I ever had.

“Every single day, every innings, and every opportunity I received to bat, my dream was to wear the Indian cap. I lived by a simple rule: always put my country and my team before myself. I played with complete honesty and have always believed that if your intent is right, the game will take care of you.

“Since my debut as a first-class cricketer, Indian cricket has grown tremendously, and I am incredibly proud to have been part of it for the last 20 years. While my chapter as an Indian cricketer is ending, my journey with the sport continues. I look forward to mentoring the next generation, sharing the values the game has taught me, and giving back to the sport that has given me everything.”

Rahane was a cornerstone of India’s middle order, particularly in challenging overseas conditions. He displayed exceptional proficiency on foreign soil, averaging 39.43 compared to 35.73 at home, despite playing significantly more matches away (51) than at home (32). Of his 12 Test centuries, eight were scored at home, including his maiden century in Wellington in February 2014. This success followed consecutive high-scoring performances in Durban and a century at Lord’s in July 2014, establishing him as a permanent fixture in the Test lineup.

Having made his ODI debut eighteen months before his Test debut, Rahane secured his first ODI century at Edgbaston, contributing to a 3-1 series victory in the summer of 2014.

Rahane achieved success on multiple international grounds, recording Test centuries in Melbourne, Kingston, and Colombo, and notably scoring two centuries in a single Test against South Africa in Delhi in December 2015.

Despite his successes, he faced periods of exclusion around 2017-18 as his scoring rate declined. His most significant contribution came during the 2020-21 Australian tour; stepping in for Virat Kohli, who was away for the birth of his child, Rahane led the team with a crucial century at the MCG, setting the stage for India’s dramatic series victory at the Gabba.

Rahane is currently in the UK, working as a commentator for The Hundred.