Mumbai: Veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement from international cricket on Thursday, July 30, bringing to a close a career spanning nearly two decades. The 38-year-old shared the news in an emotional video posted on Instagram, saying he felt it was the right moment to step away from the international game.
“The reality of life is that everything has a beginning and everything has an end. When the time comes, you simply have to respect it and move forward. I have always relied on timing in my batting and have always understood its importance,” Rahane said.
“Today, I feel the timing is right for me to move on and announce my retirement from international cricket and all formats. From those early days, travelling as a young boy just to practice, I gave this game everything I had. Every single day, every innings, every opportunity I got to bat, the dream was always to wear the India cap,” he added.
Rahane also spoke about always placing the team above himself and playing with honesty throughout his career. “I lived by one simple rule. Always put my country and my team ahead of myself. I played this game with complete honesty and I have always believed that if your intent is right, the game will always take care of you,” he said.
Reflecting on his journey, Rahane said Indian cricket had evolved considerably since his first-class debut, and that he took pride in having been part of that growth over the past 20 years. “Since the time I made my debut as a first-class cricketer, Indian cricket has grown tremendously and I feel so proud to have been a part of it over the last 20 years. While my chapter as an Indian cricketer comes to an end, my journey with the game doesn’t. I look forward to helping the next generation, sharing the values this sport has taught me and giving back to the game that has given me everything,” he said.
The 38-year-old thanked the BCCI, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), his teammates, coaches, IPL franchises, family, friends and fans for their support throughout his career.
“And a very special thank you to all the cricket fans who supported me through every high and low. Ajinkya means unbeatable, but cricket has shown me defeat many times. As cricketers, we fail more often than we succeed. My team has lost matches. I have made mistakes, but there is one place where I was never defeated. And that was in your hearts. Thank you for your love, your faith and your support. Cap number 278, signing off,” Rahane said in conclusion.
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Rahane played 85 Test matches for India, scoring 5,077 runs across 144 innings at an average of 38.46, with 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries at a strike rate of 49.50.
In ODIs, he appeared in 90 matches, scoring 2,962 runs in 87 innings at an average of 35.26, with three centuries and 24 fifties, maintaining a strike rate of 78.63.
He also played 20 T20Is for India, scoring 375 runs at an average of 20.83 and a strike rate of 113.29, registering one half-century.
With inputs from agencies