Top 5 unforgettable moments from Ajinkya Rahane's international career

Ajinkya Rahane has brought the curtain down on his international career after announcing his retirement from all formats for India. Over the last 12 years, the veteran batter established himself as one of India's most dependable middle-order players. He was known for his calm approach, reliable slip fielding, and ability to deliver match-winning performances, especially in overseas conditions.

Rahane played a key role in several of India's biggest victories. From helping India end its 28-year wait for a Test win at Lord's to leading an injury-hit team to a historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph in Australia, he consistently stepped up when the pressure was at its highest. His leadership, composure, and fighting spirit made him a valuable member of the Indian team.

Rahane's career was filled with memorable moments, including overseas centuries, a record-breaking catching performance in Galle, and a courageous knock in the World Test Championship final. In this article, we look back at the top five unforgettable moments from Ajinkya Rahane's international career that defined his legacy in Indian cricket.

5. World-Record Catching Display in Galle (2015)

Ajinkya Rahane was not only a dependable batter but also one of India's finest slip fielders. During the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle in 2015, he created history by becoming the first non-wicketkeeper to take eight catches in a single Test match. His brilliant fielding was one of the highlights of the match and showcased his exceptional reflexes and safe hands.

Rahane completed the record by taking the catch of Rangana Herath in Sri Lanka's second innings. His eight catches included the wickets of Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhammika Prasad, Kumar Sangakkara, Jehan Mubarak, and Rangana Herath. Despite his record-breaking effort, India lost the match by 63 runs, with Sri Lanka successfully defending a target of 176 after Rangana Herath claimed 7 wickets in the fourth innings.

At the time, Rahane's eight catches were the most by a non-wicketkeeper in Test cricket, earning him a place in the record books. The record stood for 10 years before Aiden Markram broke it by taking nine catches against India in 2025. Although India suffered defeat in Galle, Rahane's historic fielding performance remains one of the most unforgettable moments of his international career.

4. WTC Final Comeback (89 & 46 vs Australia, 2023)

After spending nearly 18 months out of the Test team, Ajinkya Rahane made a remarkable comeback in the 2023 ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia at The Oval. He returned to the side after impressive performances in domestic cricket and the IPL, replacing the injured Shreyas Iyer. Rahane repaid the selectors' faith by becoming India's best batter in the title clash.

With India struggling at 71/4 in the first innings, Rahane played a fighting knock of 89 runs to keep his team in the contest. He then scored 46 runs in the second innings and also crossed the milestone of 5,000 Test runs during the match. His determined performances stood out in an otherwise difficult game for India.

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Despite Rahane's brave effort, India lost the World Test Championship Final by 209 runs, as Australia claimed the ICC title. Although the result did not go India's way, Rahane's successful return on the biggest stage proved his class and reminded everyone why he had been one of India's most dependable Test batters.

3. The Dream Debut

Ajinkya Rahane's cricket journey began with a dream start in first-class cricket. At just 19 years old, he scored 143 runs for Mumbai on his first-class debut, announcing himself as one of India's brightest young talents. It was the first of 51 first-class centuries in a remarkable domestic career that eventually earned him a place in the Indian team.

Rahane carried that form into international cricket when he made his T20I debut against England at Old Trafford in August 2011. He shared his debut with Indian legend Rahul Dravid, who was also playing his first T20I. Rahane impressed immediately, scoring 61 runs off 39 balls, the highest score by an Indian batter in the match, while adding a 65-run partnership with Dravid.

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Although England won the match by six wickets, Rahane's fearless innings made a lasting impression. His outstanding first-class debut and brilliant international debut laid the foundation for a successful career that would see him become one of India's most dependable batters across formats.

2. Captain's Hundred at the MCG (112 vs Australia, 2020)

After India's historic collapse for 36 all out in the Adelaide Test, Ajinkya Rahane took over as captain with Virat Kohli returning home on paternity leave. Leading a team without several key players, Rahane remained calm under pressure and produced one of the finest innings of his career in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Rahane scored a brilliant 112 off 223 balls in the first innings, helping India post 326 in reply to Australia's 195. His century, along with an unbeaten 27 in the second innings, guided India to a comfortable eight-wicket victory, levelling the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy at 1-1. His composed batting and smart captaincy earned praise from cricket experts around the world.

Rahane's leadership continued to inspire the injury-hit Indian side throughout the series. Under his captaincy, India went on to script history by winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1, including the famous victory at the Gabba, where Australia had not lost a Test for more than 32 years. The remarkable comeback from the Adelaide defeat remains one of the greatest achievements in Indian cricket history, with Rahane's captaincy at its heart.

1. The Captain Who Conquered Australia

If there is one chapter that defines Ajinkya Rahane's legacy, it is India's historic 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph in Australia. After India were bowled out for just 36 in Adelaide and Virat Kohli returned home on paternity leave, very few expected the injury-hit team to recover. Rahane stepped up as captain and inspired one of the greatest comebacks in Test cricket history.

Rahane led from the front with a magnificent 112 in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), helping India level the series with an eight-wicket victory. His century not only revived India's campaign but also made him the only Indian to score a Boxing Day Test century against Australia both as a player and as captain. His calm leadership and composed batting set the tone for the remainder of the series.

Under Rahane's captaincy, India completed a stunning 2-1 series victory, capped by the famous win at the Gabba, where Australia had not lost a Test for more than 32 years. Rahane also finished his Test captaincy career unbeaten, leading India in six Tests with four wins and two draws. His leadership during the Australia tour remains the defining moment of his international career and one of the greatest achievements in Indian cricket history.