"Cap 278 signing off"- Former India vice-captain and CSK star calls time on his international career

The former vice-captain of the Indian side, Ajinkya Rahane, has retired from international and all formats with immediate effect as he said in a social media. He played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20Is for the blue brigade, the last of which was a red-ball contest in the West Indies in July 2023. 

One of the highlights of his career was leading the Indian side to a historic 2-1 Test series victory in Australia in the 2020-21 summer, especially after the tourists had been bowled out for 36 in the opening Test of the series at the Adelaide Oval.

Ajinkya Rahane announces retirement from international cricket, All Formats

Rahane has posted a video on his Instagram account as he felt that the timing has been right for him to move on and declare his retirement from the international cricket.  

Watch Ajinkya Rahane's retirement speech here- 

“I've always relied on timing in my batting, and I've always understood its importance. Today, I feel the timing is right for me to move on and announce my retirement from international cricket and all formats. From those early days traveling from Dombivli as a young boy just to practice, I gave this game everything I had.” Rahane expressed on video.

“Every single day, every innings, every opportunity I got to bat, the dream was always to wear the India cap. I lived by one simple rule: always put my country and my team ahead of myself. I played this game with complete honesty, and I have always believed that if your intent is right, the game will always take care of you.” He addressed.

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The Mumbai-born conquered more overseas grounds, scoring Test centuries in Melbourne, Kingston and Colombo, while also smacking twin centuries in the Delhi Test against South Africa in December 2015.

“Since the time I made my debut as a first-class cricketer, Indian cricket has grown tremendously, and I feel so proud to have been a part of it over the last 20 years. While my chapter as an Indian cricketer comes to an end, my journey with the game doesn't.” Rahane added, as he is currently in the UK, doing commentary for the Hundred.

Inside Rahane's 15-year career: 85 Tests, 15 centuries and a historic series win in Australia

Rahane has featured in 85 Test matches and notched up 5077 runs at an average of 38.46 and a strike rate of 49.50, shouldering on 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries at the best score of 188 runs against New Zealand.

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The Indian right-handed batter has clubbed 2962 runs in 87 innings of the ODI format at an average of 35.26 and a strike rate of 78.63, with the help of three centuries and 24 fifties at the best score of 111. In T20Is, the 38-year-old has bagged 375 runs in 20 innings at a strike rate of 113.29, thanks to one fifty. 

Fans and cricket fraternity flood social media as Rahane bids goodbye

The fans and the cricket fraternity have reacted as Rahane bid adieu to international cricket-