Veteran Indian batsman and former vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket. Rahane, who has been out of Team India for a long time, has been receiving a steady stream of reactions from the cricketing world following his decision. The most significant and emotional response to his retirement came from his longtime partner, legendary batsman Virat Kohli. Kohli shared a message on the social media platform Instagram (formerly Twitter), calling Rahane his most trusted and favorite Test batting partner.

Ajinkya Rahane retires from international cricket: Virat Kohli pens emotional message, names his favorite batting partner

Ajinkya Rahane retires from international cricket.
“The safest pair in the slips and favorite partner”: Virat Kohli’s message

Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane have together strengthened the Indian middle order for years. Both scripted many historic victories for India abroad. Upon Rahane’s retirement, Kohli recalled the moments spent with him and wrote that he should be proud of his career.

“Jinx, congratulations on your wonderful career, friend. You have done wonders for Indian cricket, and you should be proud of it.

Our slip pairing was the safest on the field, and you were my favorite Test batting partner. Best wishes to you for the next innings of your life. God bless you.”
— Virat Kohli, former captain, Indian cricket team

“Timing is everything”: Rahane gets emotional while announcing his retirement

In his official statement, Ajinkya Rahane said that it is crucial to make the right decision at the right time. Just like his batting style, he considered timing to be the most important factor in his retirement decision.

“The truth of life is that whatever begins is bound to end.

When the right time comes, one has to respect it and move forward. I have always believed in timing in my batting, and I felt this was the right time to retire from the game.”
— Ajinkya Rahane, former Indian cricketer

Rahane, the king of foreign pitches: A 12-year international career

38-year-old Ajinkya Rahane has had a remarkable international career. He played 85 Test matches for India, scoring 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46. He has 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries in the Test format. Whether it’s his century at the historic Lord’s ground or leading India to victory in the Melbourne Test in Australia in 2020-21, Rahane’s contributions will always be remembered.

In limited-overs cricket, Rahane also played for India, scoring 2,962 runs in 90 ODIs and 375 runs in 20 T20 Internationals. Rahane also captained the Indian team in all three formats. Notably, in the absence of Virat Kohli, India won a historic series in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, defeating Australia at home.

Impact on Indian Cricket: The End of a Golden Chapter

With Ajinkya Rahane’s retirement, a key pillar of India’s golden middle order, which taught India to win overseas, has come to an end.

The trio of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane played a key role in keeping the Indian Test team at the top of the ICC rankings for the past decade. With Rahane’s departure, the responsibility has now completely shifted to the young players in the Indian middle order.