'You showed that composure isn't the opposite of aggression' - Sachin Tendulkar hails Ajinkya Rahane on his remarkable career

Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect on Thursday, July 30, 2026. The 38-year-old batsman ended a career that began in 2013, during which he represented India across all three formats. Rahane had not played for India since the 2023 away Test series against the West Indies.

Sachin Tendulkar paid tribute to Rahane following the retirement announcement. Tendulkar and Rahane shared a long association, having batted together for Mumbai in domestic cricket and played alongside each other in the Indian Premier League with Mumbai Indians.

"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," wrote Tendulkar on X.

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.…

BCCI pays homage to Rahane's stellar international career

Rahane's Test record stands as a significant part of his international career. He played 85 Tests, scoring 5,077 runs across 144 innings with 12 centuries and 26 fifties at an average of 38.46 and a strike rate of 49.50. In ODI cricket, Rahane featured in 90 matches, accumulating 2,962 runs from 87 innings with 3 centuries and 24 fifties at an average of 35.26 and a strike rate of 78.63. He also played 20 T20 Internationals, scoring 375 runs.

Rahane's captaincy record in Test cricket was undefeated, with 4 wins and 2 draws from his matches leading India. This record gave him the highest win percentage among Indian Test captains with a minimum of 5 matches. His most notable achievement as captain came during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, when India won the series 2-1 against Australia, with a historic victory at the Gabba that ended Australia's unbeaten streak at the venue. Rahane also led India to a Test victory against Australia in Dharamshala in 2017 and a win over Afghanistan in 2018.

Rahane remained active in domestic cricket, leading Mumbai until the 2024-25 season. His Test debut came on March 22, 2013, against Australia at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi, a match in which Tendulkar was also batting for India, marking the beginning of their overlapping international careers.