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‘Ajinkya Means Unbeatable, But Cricket Taught Me Defeat…’: Ajinkya Rahane’s Emotional Retirement Message Leaves Fans in Tears
The former India vice-captain ends his international career after two decades, thanking fans, teammates and family while promising to give back to the game that shaped his life.
One of India’s most graceful and dependable cricketers, Ajinkya Rahane, has officially retired from international cricket, bringing an end to a remarkable career that spanned over two decades. The veteran batter announced his decision with a heartfelt statement, reflecting on his journey from the suburbs of Dombivli to representing India on the biggest stages of world cricket.
Known for his calm temperament and ability to deliver under pressure, Rahane represented India in 85 Tests, 90 One-Day Internationals and 20 T20 Internationals. He leaves behind a legacy built on resilience, selflessness and unforgettable performances, particularly in overseas conditions.
A Career Defined by Quiet Excellence
Rahane may never have been the loudest personality in the dressing room, but he consistently let his performances speak for themselves. Over his Test career, he scored 5,077 runs, including 12 centuries, and played several match-winning knocks that helped India script historic victories abroad.
Among the defining moments of his career was his inspirational leadership during India’s famous 2020-21 Test series triumph in Australia. After taking over the captaincy in difficult circumstances, Rahane guided the team to one of the greatest comeback victories in Test cricket history.
His memorable century at Lord’s and numerous crucial innings in challenging overseas conditions cemented his reputation as one of India’s finest Test batters of his generation.
A Career Defined by Quiet Excellence
In his retirement message, Rahane made it clear that while his international career has come to an end, his association with cricket is far from over.
He recalled the sacrifices made during his early days, travelling from Dombivli to practice every day with the dream of one day wearing the India cap. Rahane said he always believed in putting the team ahead of personal milestones and playing the game with complete honesty.
The veteran batter also expressed pride in witnessing the tremendous growth of Indian cricket over the past 20 years and said he now hopes to contribute by mentoring young cricketers and sharing the values the sport has taught him.
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Gratitude to Everyone Who Supported Him
Rahane thanked the BCCI, Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), his teammates, coaches, IPL franchises, family, friends and supporters for standing by him throughout his career.
He reserved special gratitude for cricket fans, acknowledging the unwavering love they showed him during both successful and difficult phases of his journey.
“I Was Never Defeated in Your Hearts”
The most emotional part of Rahane’s farewell came as he reflected on the meaning of his own name.
“Ajinkya means unbeatable,” he wrote, before adding that cricket had taught him the reality of defeat many times. He admitted that every cricketer experiences failures and disappointments, but said there was one place where he never felt defeated—the hearts of cricket fans.
Rahane concluded his message by thanking supporters for their trust, affection and belief, signing off as India Cap No. 278.
While his international chapter has now closed, Ajinkya Rahane’s contribution to Indian cricket—marked by humility, discipline and memorable performances—will continue to inspire generations of cricketers.
