Ajinkya Rahane’s ability to deliver in difficult situations defined his international career, according to former Mumbai coach Pravin Amre, who paid rich tribute to the veteran batter after he retired from international cricket. Rahane, 38, ended a distinguished India career that spanned more than 12 years, having represented the country in 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is since making his debut in 2011.

Amre believes Rahane’s greatest strength was his calm temperament and his knack for rising to the occasion when India needed him most. Recalling the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, the former coach said Rahane produced one of the finest examples of batting and leadership in Indian cricket after the team were bowled out for just 36 in the Adelaide Test.

“We know like what he did in Australia with that particular innings in Melbourne when the team was bowled out for 36 previously,” Pravin Amre was quoted as saying by PTI. “From there, picking the team, performing, leading from the front and getting that hundred… I think that is the art of batsmanship and also the art of leadership on how to play, where morally the team was down and from there, beating the mighty Australians in their own soil.”

According to Amre, Rahane was a classic team man who never shied away from responsibility. The former Mumbai coach described him as a “silent warrior” who thrived under pressure and repeatedly delivered when the side needed stability in challenging conditions.

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“Ajinkya Rahane was always a silent warrior because he knew that whenever his team needed, he was there for the team. That is the way he had grown up, and his attitude was like that. I’m really proud of it because most of them came in adverse situation and that’s the art of batsmanship,” Pravin Amre said.

The coach also looked back at Rahane’s early days in first-class cricket, recalling his dream debut for Mumbai. The right-hander announced himself in style with a century against Karachi Urban at the National Stadium in Karachi, a performance that gave an early glimpse of his talent and temperament.

“It was special his debut was in Pakistan, where he got his hundred in the first game; that’s where he showed the spark, representing Mumbai and getting a hundred in a first game,” Pravin Amre said. “…that was very important as a player and I think that was he moment I felt like this boy had a lot a cricket in him and he had the potential to play for India,” he added.

Among Rahane’s many memorable knocks, Amre singled out his 103 at Lord’s during India’s 2014 tour of England. The innings, played on a difficult green-top surface, helped India secure one of their most famous overseas wins and earned Rahane a place on the Lord’s honours board.

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“The innings in Lord’s on the green-top wicket because we always know when you perform, especially at Lord’s, it is always a special moment. I personally feel that because I was very happy to see his name on the honours board,” Pravin Amre said.

But for Amre, Rahane’s finest contribution came not just with the bat, but as a leader. During the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he took over an injury-hit Indian side and guided them to a historic 2-1 Test series win in Australia. Amre compared that comeback to a battle fought from a position of disadvantage, noting how India turned a difficult situation into a famous triumph. For him, that series will remain the defining chapter of Rahane’s career.