Former India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane on Thursday announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, bringing the curtain down on a distinguished career that spanned more than two decades and included one of India’s most memorable overseas Test triumphs.
Rahane, 38, who led India to a historic 2-1 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series win in Australia in 2020-21, made the announcement through a video posted on social media with the caption: “Cap 278 signing off. Thank you for all the love and support over the years. Forever grateful.”
“The reality of life is that everything has a beginning and everything has an end. When the time comes, you simply have to respect it and move forward. I have always relied on timing in my batting and have 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.
The Mumbai batter, who last represented India in the 2023 Test series against the West Indies, said wearing the India cap had always been his greatest motivation.
“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,” he said.
Rahane made his international debut in an ODI against England in 2011 before earning his maiden Test cap against Australia in Delhi in 2013. He went on to play 85 Tests, scoring 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries and 26 fifties. He also amassed 2,962 runs in 90 ODIs and featured in 20 T20 Internationals.
His finest hour came during India’s tour of Australia in 2020-21. Taking over the captaincy after Virat Kohli returned home following the opening Test, Rahane guided an injury-hit Indian side to a remarkable series victory, highlighted by triumphs in Melbourne and Brisbane, where Australia lost a Test at the Gabba for the first time in 32 years.
Rahane was also a mainstay in the Indian Premier League, featuring in every season since the tournament’s inception in 2008. He represented Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings, winning his only IPL title with CSK in 2023.
He returned to Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the 2025 season and was appointed captain following Shreyas Iyer’s departure. Rahane continued to lead the franchise in the 2026 edition.
Although his international and domestic playing career has come to an end, Rahane said he intends to remain connected with the game.
“My chapter as an Indian cricketer comes to an end, but my journey with the game doesn’t. I look forward to helping the next generation, sharing the values this sport has taught me and giving back to the game that has given me everything,” he said.
Signing off with an emotional message, Rahane added: “Ajinkya means unbeatable, but cricket has shown me defeat many times. There is one place where I was never defeated, and that was in your hearts. Thank you for your love, your faith and your support. Cap number 278, signing off.”
