Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane brought an end to his cricket journey on Thursday by announcing his retirement from all forms of the game. The veteran batter shared the news through an emotional video on social media, where he struggled to control his tears while thanking fans for standing by him throughout his career.
Looking back on his journey, Ajinkya Rahane acknowledged that setbacks and mistakes are a natural part of a cricketer’s life. He said that while he and his teams had faced defeats and difficult moments, the constant love and support from fans always made him feel valued. Overcome with emotion, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to supporters for believing in him through every phase of his career before signing off with the message, “Cap #278 signing off”.
Here is the video:
https://x.com/cricsam02/status/2082699728735834473
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The 38-year-old cricketer was known for his calm personality, dependable batting and ability to deliver under pressure. He represented India in 85 Test matches, 90 One-Day Internationals and 20 T20 Internationals. One of the biggest highlights of Ajinkya Rahane’s career came during India’s historic 2020-21 Test series win in Australia. After taking over the captaincy in the absence of Virat Kohli, he guided the team to a memorable victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, playing a key role in one of India’s greatest overseas triumphs.
Ajinkya Rahane’s international career also saw its share of challenges. He lost his place in the Indian team during difficult phases and last represented the country in 2023. Despite that, he continued playing domestic cricket and remained active in the Indian Premier League.
Over the years, Ajinkya Rahane featured for six IPL franchises — Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders. In the later stages of his career, he adapted his batting style in T20 cricket, becoming a more attacking player while maintaining his trademark composure.
He also continued contributing to domestic cricket, leading Mumbai until the 2024-25 season. Under his captaincy, Mumbai won a record-extending 42nd Ranji Trophy title during the 2023-24 season, adding another memorable achievement to his distinguished career.
We wish Ajinkya Rahane all the best for his future endeavours.
