Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane struggled to hold back his emotions as he announced his retirement from professional cricket on Thursday, breaking down in tears while thanking fans for standing by him throughout his career. The 38-year-old shared an emotional farewell video on Instagram, bringing the curtain down on a journey that spanned more than two decades across international, domestic and franchise cricket.
In his retirement message, Rahane reflected on the highs and lows of life as a professional cricketer. While acknowledging that failures are an inevitable part of the game, he said the unwavering love and support of cricket fans remained his greatest achievement.
“As cricketers, we fail more often than we succeed. My team has lost matches, I have made mistakes, but there is one place where I was never defeated. And that was in your hearts,” Ajinkya Rahane said before breaking down in tears.
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The veteran batter also expressed his gratitude to supporters who backed him through every phase of his career. “You always treated me like your own. Thank you for your love, your faith and your support,” he added before ending his message with the words, “Cap #278 signing off.”
AJINKYA RAHANE IN TEARS 🥹
– The moment ajji announced his retirement, Cap 278 Signing off forever 🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/jgCCXh8kv8
— Sam (@cricsam02) July 30, 2026
Widely admired for his composure and ability to deliver in pressure situations, Rahane represented India in 85 Tests, 90 One-Day Internationals and 20 T20Is. His finest moment came during India’s historic 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph in Australia, where he captained the side to a memorable series victory after Virat Kohli returned home following the opening Test. Rahane’s century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground remains one of the defining knocks of his career.
Despite enduring challenging phases, including losing his place in the national team, Rahane continued to work hard in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League. He last represented India in 2023 but remained a consistent performer on the domestic circuit.
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Rahane also enjoyed a successful IPL career, representing Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders. In the latter stages of his career, he reinvented his T20 batting by adopting a far more aggressive approach, proving his ability to evolve with the changing demands of the format.
He also continued to serve Mumbai cricket with distinction, captaining the side until the 2024-25 season and leading them to a record-extending 42nd Ranji Trophy title during the 2023-24 campaign, adding another memorable chapter to his illustrious career.
