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‘Overshadowed by Virat Kohli, Remembered for Australia’: Why Ajinkya Rahane’s India Career Deserved More Than the Numbers Suggest
Ajinkya Rahane retires from international cricket with modest statistics but an unforgettable legacy, defined by overseas heroics, calm leadership and India’s historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph in Australia.
When Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement from international cricket, it came exactly as fans had come to expect from the soft-spoken Mumbai batter—without grand celebrations, emotional farewell matches or elaborate ceremonies. Quiet in nature and understated throughout his career, Rahane walked away from the international stage in the same manner he had represented India for more than a decade.
Yet, beneath the modest farewell lies the story of a cricketer whose contribution to Indian cricket cannot be measured by statistics alone.
Living in the Shadow of Greatness
Rahane entered the Indian Test side at a time when Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara had already established themselves as the pillars of India’s batting line-up.
While Kohli became the face of Indian cricket and Pujara earned a reputation as the team’s batting wall, Rahane often played the role of the dependable supporting act. His calm personality meant he rarely grabbed headlines, but whenever India needed someone to absorb pressure or counterattack in difficult overseas conditions, Rahane frequently answered the call.
Despite his immense talent, his international numbers never truly reflected his ability.
He retires with 5,077 Test runs in 85 matches, an average of 38.46, and 12 centuries—figures that appear modest when compared to some of his contemporaries. But those numbers tell only part of the story.
The Overseas Specialist India Could Always Trust
If there was one stage where Rahane consistently flourished, it was overseas.
His elegant century at Lord’s in 2014 remains one of the defining knocks of India’s resurgence in Test cricket abroad. Whether facing swing in England, bounce in Australia or pace in South Africa, Rahane looked comfortable against high-quality fast bowling.
Ironically, many of his struggles came at home against spin. Although widely regarded as an accomplished player of slow bowling, only three of his 12 Test hundreds came on Indian soil.
That unusual contrast often led to debates over whether Rahane was more valuable in overseas conditions than at home.
The Captain Who Changed History
Rahane’s greatest contribution to Indian cricket came during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
After India were bowled out for just 36 in Adelaide—their lowest-ever Test total—and captain Virat Kohli returned home on paternity leave, few gave the visitors any chance of winning the series.
What followed became one of the greatest chapters in Indian cricket history.
Taking over the captaincy, Rahane led a depleted Indian side plagued by injuries and inexperience. He responded with a magnificent century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) before guiding India to a stunning 2-1 series victory, ending Australia’s dominance at home.
His composed leadership, tactical awareness and ability to unite a young squad earned widespread praise from players and experts alike.
Many believe that triumph remains the defining achievement of Rahane’s career.
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A White-Ball Career That Never Fully Took Off
While Rahane found success in Test cricket, his journey in limited-overs cricket never reached similar heights.
He represented India in 90 ODIs and 20 T20 Internationals, but despite flashes of brilliance, he struggled to cement a permanent place in the white-ball setup.
His ODI average of 35.26 was respectable, but a strike rate below 80 reflected the challenges he faced in adapting to the evolving demands of modern limited-overs cricket.
A Legacy Beyond Statistics
Even after stepping away from international cricket, Rahane’s playing career is not over.
The veteran batter is expected to continue representing Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL) while remaining available for domestic cricket with Mumbai.
More importantly, he has expressed a desire to mentor young cricketers and give back to the game that shaped his life.
Ajinkya Rahane may never have dominated headlines like some of his illustrious teammates, but he leaves behind a legacy built on resilience, humility and unforgettable performances when India needed him the most.
His career may not be remembered for extraordinary numbers—but it will always be remembered for extraordinary moments.
