Former India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has reflected on one of the most successful batting partnerships in Indian Test history following his retirement from international cricket. Looking back on a career that featured several memorable overseas triumphs, Rahane credited Virat Kohli’s aggressive mindset and their honest communication as the foundation of a partnership that consistently delivered for India across challenging conditions.

Speaking on The Overlap Cricket podcast, Rahane explained how his calm temperament blended perfectly with Kohli’s intensity, creating a balance that made them one of India’s most dependable middle-order combinations.

“Firstly, I really enjoyed batting with him. We complemented each other really well. Virat Kohli’s aggressive nature and my calm approach really helped us a lot. The reason behind those partnerships was always the positive communication and the frank conversations we had,” Ajinkya Rahane said.

Their on-field chemistry is reflected in the numbers. Kohli and Rahane put together 3,661 runs in 67 Test innings at an impressive average of 51.45. The pair stitched together 12 century partnerships and 14 fifty-plus stands, making them the fifth-highest run-scoring partnership in India’s Test history. Away from home, they were equally effective, adding 1,950 runs together in overseas Tests and playing a crucial role in several famous victories.

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Rahane believes their success went far beyond statistics. According to him, trust and open communication allowed both batters to express themselves freely, regardless of the match situation.

“Whenever Virat wanted to take on a particular bowler, he would discuss it with me. If I felt it was the right move, I encouraged him. He always appreciated honest opinions. Likewise, if he felt sledging an opponent would help his game, I would tell him to do whatever brought out his best. That frank communication made a huge difference,” Ajinkya Rahane explained.

“He was always positive.” ❤️

Ajinkya Rahane on his relationship with Virat Kohli! 🇮🇳 🤩 pic.twitter.com/uquwhYFBUD

— Stick to Cricket (@StickToCricket) August 5, 2026

Their discussions were not limited to the middle. Rahane revealed that he and Kohli regularly spent time together away from cricket, analysing batting techniques, discussing teammates and exchanging ideas about the game.

“We used to spend a lot of time together off the field. We spoke about cricket constantly—his game, my game and even other players. Those conversations helped us learn from each other and created a stronger understanding within the team,” he said.

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Despite Kohli’s reputation as an intense competitor, Rahane revealed that the former India captain’s advice was always simple and empowering.

“Virat always told me, ‘Jinx, just play your natural game.’ He knew I was naturally an attacking batter and never asked me to hold back. He would say that if I felt like attacking from the very first ball, I should do it without hesitation. That freedom gave me a lot of confidence,” Ajinkya Rahane added.

Rahane also opened up about another aspect of Kohli’s batting that has fascinated teammates for years—his extraordinary record while chasing targets in white-ball cricket. Widely regarded as one of the greatest finishers in ODI history, Kohli has mastered the art of pacing an innings under pressure, but Rahane admitted that the batting great has never revealed the secret behind his success.

“I’ve asked him many times what goes through his mind during a chase, but he never gives away his secret,” Ajinkya Rahane said with a smile. “It’s all about the calculations in his mind and knowing exactly when to take calculated risks. MS Dhoni had that ability too, but Virat’s calculations during a chase are simply extraordinary.”

As Rahane brings the curtain down on his international career, his reflections offer a fascinating glimpse into one of Indian cricket’s most successful partnerships. While Kohli’s aggression and Rahane’s composure may have been contrasting traits, together they formed a combination that played a defining role in India’s rise as a dominant Test side, particularly in overseas conditions.