Ajinkya Rahane has brought the curtain down on his professional cricket career, announcing his retirement from all forms of the game in an emotional social media video on July 30. The former Indian batter revealed that he took the decision after discussing it with his father, wife Radhika, and longtime coach Pravin Amre.

Rahane, 38, finished his international career after representing India across all three formats. He featured in 195 international matches and accumulated 8,414 runs, with Test cricket accounting for the biggest share of his achievements. Over the years, he established himself as a dependable middle-order batter and played a crucial role in several memorable overseas victories.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Ajinkya Rahane admitted that he still believed he could continue playing for another two years. However, his discussions with those closest to him helped provide clarity. Amre, who played a significant role in Rahane’s development, encouraged him to trust his instincts and respect the feeling that it was time to move on.

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“I spoke to my father, my wife Radhika and Pravin (Amre) sir, who has been instrumental throughout my career. He said that if I had that feeling, I should respect it. I told him I still felt I could play for another two years, but I had no regrets. I achieved what I wanted and gave everything to the game,” Ajinkya Rahane said.

He also consulted Prayagraj sir, whom he has followed since 2012-13 through Vedanta philosophy. The advice was similar: Rahane had always put the team first and given his best whenever he stepped onto the field. Rahane made his Test debut against Australia in Delhi in March 2013. After scores of 7 and 1, he responded strongly against South Africa in Durban, scoring an unbeaten 51 and 96. He went on to register Test centuries in New Zealand, England, and Australia.

In 85 Tests, Rahane scored 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries and 26 fifties. His highest score was 188, while his final Test appearance came against the West Indies in Port of Spain in July 2023.

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One of the defining moments of Rahane’s career came as India’s Test captain during the 2020-21 tour of Australia. Taking charge after India fell 0-1 behind, Rahane guided the team to a historic 2-1 series victory. He also represented India in 90 ODIs, scoring 2,962 runs, while his 20 T20Is yielded 375 runs. Across formats, he finished with 15 international centuries and 51 fifties.

Rahane’s IPL career was equally significant. He played 212 matches and scored 5,367 runs at an average of 30.15 and a strike rate of 125.60. He captained Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026, scoring 335 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 135.08 before bringing his distinguished playing career to an end.