Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar penned an emotional message for Ajinkya Rahane after the veteran batter announced his retirement from international cricket on Thursday. Having shared the dressing room with Rahane for Mumbai in domestic cricket and Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, Tendulkar reflected on the qualities that defined the right-hander’s career.

Taking to X, the batting great praised Rahane’s selfless approach, composure and ability to deliver when the team needed him the most.

“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,” Tendulkar wrote on X.

Rahane’s Test debut began alongside Tendulkar

Rahane made his Test debut for India against Australia on March 22, 2013, at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi. On that special occasion, Tendulkar was at the other end of the pitch and encouraged the debutant to enjoy the moment.

The two had already built a strong cricketing relationship through Mumbai cricket before also becoming teammates for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

Ajinkya Rahane’s international career in numbers

Rahane leaves international cricket after representing India across all three formats. In Test cricket, he featured in 85 matches, scoring 5,077 runs from 144 innings at an average of 38.46. His record includes 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries, while maintaining a strike rate of 49.50.

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In One-Day Internationals, Rahane played 90 matches, making 2,962 runs in 87 innings. He registered three hundreds and 24 fifties, averaging 35.26 with a strike rate of 78.63.

His T20 International career included 20 appearances, during which he scored 375 runs, including one fifty, at an average of 20.83 and a strike rate of 113.29.

An unbeaten record as India’s Test captain

Rahane also enjoyed a remarkable run as India’s Test captain. He never lost a Test while leading the side, finishing with four victories and two draws. Among Indian captains who have led the team in at least five Tests, he holds the highest winning percentage.

One of the defining chapters of his captaincy came during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. After India bounced back with a memorable victory in Melbourne, Rahane led the team to a historic series-clinching win at the Gabba, ending Australia’s long unbeaten run at the venue and sealing a 2-1 series triumph.

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He also captained India to an important Test victory against Australia in Dharamshala in 2017 and led the side to a win over Afghanistan in 2018, adding more memorable moments to an accomplished international career.

FAQs

What did Sachin Tendulkar say about Ajinkya Rahane?

Tendulkar praised Rahane’s composure, selfless attitude and leadership, calling his Australia heroics the defining moment of his career.

What is Ajinkya Rahane’s record as India’s Test captain?

Rahane remained unbeaten as Test captain, recording four wins and two draws in six matches.