Ajinkya Rahane retired from international cricket on Thursday, July 30, 2026, prompting tributes from Sachin Tendulkar, Ravi Shastri, former India teammates and the BCCI. Rahane represented India in 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is between 2011 and 2023, according to the Times of India report.
Tendulkar highlights Rahane’s composure and team-first approach
Sachin Tendulkar praised Ajinkya Rahane for combining composure with aggression and for putting the team’s needs ahead of personal moments. Tendulkar shared the Mumbai dressing room and batted with Rahane early in the latter’s career.
In a message on X, Tendulkar wrote: “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.”
Tendulkar also connected those qualities to Rahane’s captaincy in Australia. “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,” Tendulkar wrote.
Supplemental editorial cricket visual for Sachin Tendulkar Leads Tributes as Ajinkya Rahane Retires.
Tendulkar was at the other end when Rahane made his Test debut against Australia in Delhi in 2013.
Australia captaincy remains central to Rahane’s India career
Ajinkya Rahane led India to a 2-1 Test series victory in Australia in 2020-21 after taking over from Virat Kohli following the Adelaide Test. The series ended with India’s victory at the Gabba despite injuries affecting the touring squad.
Rahane completed his Test career with 5,077 runs and 12 centuries. As India’s Test captain, Rahane recorded four wins and two draws across six matches, leaving him unbeaten in the role.
Supplemental editorial cricket visual for Sachin Tendulkar Leads Tributes as Ajinkya Rahane Retires.
Shastri, former teammates and BCCI recognise Rahane’s contribution
Ravi Shastri described Ajinkya Rahane as one of India’s most committed cricketers and noted his service to Mumbai and Indian cricket. Shastri was India’s head coach during several of Rahane’s major Test successes, including the 2020-21 series in Australia.
Cheteshwar Pujara congratulated his long-time batting partner on a career of which Rahane could be proud, while the BCCI thanked Rahane for his contribution to Indian cricket and the memories from his international career.
Virender Sehwag called Rahane one of India’s most underrated cricketers and highlighted his leadership during the series victory in Australia. Shikhar Dhawan remembered Rahane as a composed leader and dependable teammate, while Irfan Pathan referred to the memories created in Australia.
PV Sindhu also joined the tributes and recalled Rahane’s 103 at Lord’s in 2014, describing the innings as a display of character and class.
Related cricket reading on IPL Bet Online
- India beat Zimbabwe by 90 runs for Shreyas Iyer's first series win as captain
- England end Brendon McCullum's Test coaching tenure
- Ben Stokes could step down as England Test captain amid nightclub inquiry
- Joe Root becomes first England batter with six straight ODI fifty-plus scores
- Virat Kohli passes Ricky Ponting in international appearances
- Bhatia century, Gaud wickets seal India's Lord's Test win
- Jordan Cox says Virat Kohli was secretly photographed in London
- Ben Stokes to retire from international cricket after Trent Bridge Test