Ajinkya Rahane Retirement: Sachin, Kohli and Rohit Reached Out… Here’s What He Told Them

Ajinkya Rahane has opened up about the emotional conversations and messages he received from some of Indian cricket’s biggest names following his decision to retire from the game.

The former India batter announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after a career that saw him become an important part of India’s Test setup, particularly during overseas assignments. Following the announcement, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Cheteshwar Pujara and Irfan Pathan were among those who reached out to him.

Sachin Tendulkar was the first to call

Rahane revealed that Sachin Tendulkar was the first person to contact him after he shared his retirement announcement.

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According to Rahane, Tendulkar was surprised by the decision and felt that the veteran batter could have continued playing for longer. The conversation reflected the respect Tendulkar had for Rahane’s career and his contribution to Indian cricket.

Rahane, however, had already made up his mind.

The former India star explained that he did not want to continue simply for the sake of extending his career. For him, the decision was about knowing when the time was right to move on.

Kohli and Rohit also messaged Rahane

Rahane also received messages from Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after his retirement announcement.

The two former India teammates shared a long association with Rahane during his international career. Their messages were part of a wider wave of support from members of the cricketing fraternity following his decision.

Rahane said that his response to those who contacted him was essentially the same: he was satisfied with what he had given to the game.

That sentiment appears to have been central to Rahane’s decision. Rather than focusing on what might have happened had he continued, he chose to look back at the career he had already built.

‘I had given everything’

Rahane’s retirement brought an end to a distinguished career in which he became particularly valued for his performances in Test cricket and overseas conditions.

His calm approach, ability to handle challenging bowling conditions and dependable presence in India’s middle order made him an important member of the team during a significant period in Indian cricket.

The 38-year-old’s decision therefore came as an emotional moment for many of his former teammates and supporters.

Yet Rahane himself has made it clear that he walked away without regret.

His message to those who contacted him was simple: he had given everything he could to the game.

A career remembered for resilience

Rahane’s international journey was marked by both major successes and difficult periods. He experienced the highs of playing a central role in India’s Test campaigns while also facing periods when he was outside the national team’s plans.

Despite those setbacks, he continued working on his game and remained a respected figure within Indian cricket.

His leadership qualities were also evident when he captained India, including during the famous 2020-21 Australia tour, when he led the team to a historic Test series victory after Virat Kohli’s departure from the tour.

The beginning of a new chapter

With his playing career now behind him, Rahane enters a new phase of his life and cricket journey.

The calls and messages from Tendulkar, Kohli, Rohit, Bumrah and other former teammates underline the regard in which he is held within Indian cricket.

For Rahane, however, the most important thing appears to be that he leaves the game satisfied with his contribution.

After years of representing India and competing at the highest level, his message remains straightforward: he gave the game everything he had — and he is at peace with the decision to move on.