Ajinkya Rahane Ends 17-Year Cricket Career
Ajinkya Rahane retires from all forms of cricket at 38. Read about his emotional farewell, career stats, captaincy success, and unforgettable moments.
Ajinkya Rahane Announces Retirement from All Forms of Cricket
Ajinkya Rahane to Retire from All Cricket. Ajinkya Rahane, a former India cricket player, has announced he is retiring from all forms of cricket after a remarkable 17-year career. The 38-year-old opened up in an emotional video, saying it was time to move on from the game he loves. Rahane last played competitive cricket in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), when he led the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and scored 335 runs in 14 matches. He recently said he wanted to return to the Indian side but now wants to retire from both international and domestic cricket. Rahane: "The Timing Is Right" – Rahane's Feelings. Rahane spoke from the heart when he announced his retirement. He said that with every journey, there is a beginning and an end, and he thinks this is the proper time for him to step away from the game. “Timing, I’ve always believed in timing when batting. I think today is the right day for me to announce my retirement from international cricket and all formats.” He concluded his emotional message with this: “Cap No. 278, signing off.” Rahane's International Career began in 2011. Ajinkya Rahane first made his India debut in 2011 with a T20 International against England. He opened the innings with 69 runs off just 31 balls and amazed everyone. A few days later he made his ODI debut in Durham during Rahul Dravid's last ODI series and scored 40 runs. His Test debut came in 2013, against Australia, in Delhi. Rahane had a disappointing beginning but quickly became one of India's most persistent and reliable Test batters. The Backbone of India’s Test Team. India’s batting order moved on to a new era after Sachin Tendulkar retired. Rahane joined in, along with Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli, to be one of the pillars of the Test team. Playing in 85 Tests he scored 5,077 runs with several famous centuries, particularly in overseas conditions. His international record includes:
Rahul Varun Verified Public Figure • 30 Apr, 2026 Editor
Rahul Varun is an Editor at Attention India, contributing to the development and publication of engaging news and feature stories. He focuses on clear storytelling, editorial quality, and presenting information in an accessible and reader-friendly manner.