Ajinkya Rahane’s retirement from all forms of cricket has brought an outpouring of tributes from some of the biggest names in Indian cricket, with former teammates, coaches and the BCCI honouring his outstanding contribution to the game.
Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement on Thursday (July 30) through an emotional video posted on Instagram. The right-handed batter from Mumbai called time on a career that saw him represent India in 85 Tests, 90 One-Day Internationals and 20 T20 Internationals between August 2011 and July 2023. He also captained India in all three formats and famously led the team to a historic Test series victory in Australia during the 2020-21 tour.
His final competitive appearance came on May 24, 2026, when he played for Kolkata Knight Riders against Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2026, scoring a half-century.
Soon after his announcement, legendary cricketers including Sachin Tendulkar, Ravi Shastri, Harbhajan Singh and Suryakumar Yadav congratulated Ajinkya Rahane on an illustrious career.
Sachin Tendulkar reflected on the first time he batted alongside Rahane for Mumbai and praised his selfless approach to the game. He said Rahane never chased personal milestones but always put the team’s needs first. Sachin Tendulkar also highlighted Ajinkya Rahane’s memorable leadership in Australia, saying his calmness gave the team confidence and proved that composure can be just as powerful as aggression. He wished Rahane and his family the very best for the future.
Sachin Tendulkar tweeted, “Congratulations on a remarkable career, @ajinkyarahane88, The first time we batted together for Mumbai, I saw someone who never chased moments. They came to you because you were willing to do the hard yards for the team. That same quality defined your finest hour in Australia. You showed that composure isn’t the opposite of aggression. It is often what gives a team the confidence to be fearless. Congratulations on a wonderful career! Wishing you and your family all the very best.”
https://x.com/sachin_rt/status/2082775231710773584
Harbhajan Singh, who shared the dressing room with Ajinkya Rahane while playing for India and later with Mumbai Indians in the IPL, called him a top-quality cricketer known for his calm temperament and commitment to the game. He said Rahane’s greatest legacy would always be leading India to the unforgettable Test series triumph in Australia, along with producing many memorable innings throughout his career.
https://x.com/harbhajan_singh/status/2082771286544240877
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri described Ajinkya Rahane as one of the country’s most dedicated cricketers and said he played a vital role during his tenure as coach. Ravi Shastri also acknowledged Rahane’s valuable service to both Mumbai and Indian cricket.
https://x.com/RaviShastriOfc/status/2082777248977793400
https://x.com/surya_14kumar/status/2082763924227912023
https://x.com/cheteshwar1/status/2082748680449466387
The BCCI also paid tribute to the veteran batter following his retirement. BCCI president Mithun Manhas said Ajinkya Rahane’s career perfectly reflected the importance of putting the team ahead of individual achievements. He praised Rahane for delivering in some of the toughest overseas conditions and becoming one of India’s most dependable batters away from home. Mithun Manhas also called Rahane’s leadership during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy one of the defining moments in the Indian cricket history, highlighting how he guided a young team to a famous series victory after taking charge following the opening Test, culminating in the historic win at the Gabba.
Ajinkya Rahane retires as one of India’s most respected cricketers, remembered not only for his elegant batting but also for his calm leadership and unwavering commitment to the team.
