Recently retired Ajinkya Rahane has called Sachin Tendulkar the greatest Indian cricketer of all time, saying the legendary batter stood out because of the way he dominated across eras and adapted to every challenge thrown at him. Tendulkar remains the most prolific run-scorer in international cricket, with 34,357 runs across Tests and ODIs. He is also the only player to feature in 200 Test matches and holds the record for the most centuries in both formats. In Tests, he scored 15,921 runs at an average of 53.78, including 51 hundreds, while his ODI career produced 18,426 runs and 49 centuries.

When asked to name the greatest Indian cricketer during a podcast, Ajinkya Rahane found it difficult to pick just one player but eventually backed Tendulkar. “I think it’s very hard to take one name but… probably Sachin Tendulkar. I think all the eras,” Rahane said.

Being a Mumbai cricketer himself, Rahane has long grown up watching Tendulkar define the city’s cricketing identity. For more than two decades, the former Indian captain was the face of Indian cricket and an inspiration for generations of players.

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Although Rahane has stepped away from international cricket, his retirement has not taken away his appetite for the game. The 38-year-old has made it clear that he still wants to play for a few more years and is keeping himself fit for the next phase of his career, which includes signing with Amsterdam Flames for the inaugural European T20 Premier League.

“I still have a few years. I still want to play cricket. I don’t want to put any number, but I can still play cricket for, you know, how much a year I want because I try to keep myself really fit and that’s what I have learned over the years. It helps you a lot,” he said, according to PTI.

Ajinkya Rahane also said his long career has helped him understand how players think and react under pressure. He believes that experience will help him remain valuable both as a player and as a mentor in the years ahead.

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“I understand individual players really well. What happens in their mind on and off the field? What do they think? How do they react to certain situations and conditions? Because personally, I have seen all those moments. I have seen all those situations.”