Ajinkya Rahane was a ‘man for the crisis’, an ideal batsman for SENA countries | Cricket News
MUMBAI: An era concluded in Indian cricket as Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Thursday. The former India captain, who famously led the side to a remarkable Test series triumph in Australia in 2020-21, made the announcement in an emotional post on social media on Thursday.Rahane walks off having featured in 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is for India while also turning out in 212 IPL games for six teams. He put out a video statement on his Instagram account making his decision public, where he said: “The reality of life is that everything has a beginning and everything has an end. When the time comes, we simply have to respect it and move forward. I have always relied on timing in my batting and I have 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.”Paying rich compliments to Rahane, former India skipper Dilip Vengsarkar, who has closely observed Rahane’s career over the years, told TOI, “I’ve seen Ajinkya since his Under-19 days. At that time, I was the chairman of the BCCI’s talent spotters (TRDO). He was also a part of the India Emerging team for a tour of Australia (in 2008). He was a hard-working, focused, disciplined and sincere cricketer. Of course, the highlights of his career were scoring that match-winning century for India at Lord’s (against England in 2014 in a Test) and captaining India to an amazing series win in Australia in the 2020-21 (Border-Gavaskar) Test series.“However, Vengsarkar felt that India’s think tank could’ve treated Rahane better. “But the one thing I didn’t understand, that after captaining India to a Test win against Australia at Dharmashala (in March 2017), how did he become the 12th man just six months later? It was baffling to see at that time,” the ex-chairman of selectors wondered. Vengsarkar was referring to India’s tour of South Africa in 2018, when Rahane was dropped for the first two Tests at Cape Town and Centurion, before being recalled for the third Test at Johannesburg.Praising Rahane’s technique, Vengsarkar said, “He had a very good technique and temperament. He also had a good defensive technique in the longest format of the game. He was one of our best batters in overseas conditions, and a good player of fast bowling. The only thing is that I wish he had a continuous stint as an India cricketer, because that also helps the player mentally. Being in and out of the side continuously is detrimental to the confidence of a cricketer, and his game was all about confidence.““Ajinkya conducted himself very well off the field as well. He played for Mumbai with the same intensity and commitment as he did for India. I wish him all the best for his future endeavors post retirement. It’s a good, expected decision by Rahane. Possibly he wants to build a career in media,” Vengsarkar felt.Former India batter Pravin Amre, who was the Mumbai head coach when Rahane made his first-class debut back in Sept 2007 for Mumbai against Karachi Urban in the Mohammad Nissar Trophy, said, “For me, I think it’s been an incredible journey. I’m very proud of Rahane’s journey, because I saw him as an under-17 player. And from there, representing in 85 Tests, is truly phenomenal. Also, he played for 18 years in the IPL, which is incredible. He captained India’s Test team. Nobody can forget his contribution in Australia, especially when India lost the first Test at Adelaide, and then won the second Test at Melbourne. He led from the front with a century.”Amre rated Rahane’s century against Australia in the memorable 2020-21 Test series even higher than the batter’s classy ton at Lord’s on a greentop, which helped India win that Test against all odds.“As a coach, I enjoyed many of his milestones, like getting that Test century at Lord’s, which I think was one of the best centuries by an India batter in an overseas Test. It was a top-class knock on a complete great top. However, I will still rate his century in the (second Test) Melbourne Test (in 2020-21) higher. That hundred was about him leading from the front, as Virat was not there. I think that the course of that Test, and that series changed completely after his hundred,” Amre said.Amre asserted that it was Rahane’s ability to score centuries in tough conditions overseas, especially the SENA countries, that marked him out as special.“One is rated as a complete batsman when one scores runs in England, Australia, and the SENA countries in general. And Ajinkya did that. I think that was his main role, and that’s what we (he and Rahane) prepared for also, and I’m proud of it. I definitely feel that Rahane deserved to play 100 Tests. However, he finished with a phenomenal record. His contribution as a fielder also was great, especially in the slips, he was brilliant,” Amre gushed.Praising the attitude of his ward and his ability to bat India out of crisis situations in tough conditions, Amre said, “Ajinkya was a coach’s delight. To work with him was such a wonderful experience, because he was always willing to listen, which I think is very important. He enjoyed his cricket. He gave plenty of enjoyment to Team India’s fans as well, because whenever India needed him the most, he was there with the bat. He was India’s ‘Crisis Man.’ That’s what’s very important. It wasn’t easy for him since he played in an Indian team which had great players like Rohit (Sharma) and Virat (Kohli). The limelight was not on him. However, he played his role of a reliable Test batsman perfectly.”Pointing out that Rahane was also a good limited-overs player, Amre said, “People underestimated his white-ball game. If you see, anybody who played 18 years of IPL is a phenomenal achievement. I saw his entire journey. We worked together. I am proud of his commitment, his performances under pressure.”Amre felt that Rahane could contribute a lot to the game after his retirement. “I wish him all the best for a good second innings. And that’s because he can be a good coach or a commentator. But I want him to be connected with cricket. Because now he is an experienced man. And you cannot buy experience in the supermarket.”“I was there when he made his debut for Mumbai, in Pakistan, and scored a century (143). It was something special. He always enjoyed pressure. He is a quiet warrior. He never showed off. As a coach, I can say that he has performed to his potential. I’m proud of his achievement, and whenever he was given an opportunity, he gave his best. That is more important,” concluded Amre.After waiting on the bench for 16 Tests, Rahane finally made his Test debut in the home series against Australia in Delhi in the fourth and final Test in March 2013. India won that match by six wickets, but Rahane failed miserably, as he was dismissed for 7 & 1. However, the Mumbai batter bounced back from that initial setback, slamming a magnificent century (103) at Lord’s against England in July 2014 to shape India’s stunning 95-run win on a greentop.Subsequently, he went on to establish himself as one of the crucial cogs of India’s batting spine for years to come. Rahane played 85 Tests, scoring 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46. The 38-year-old played his last Test at Port of Spain against West Indies in July 2023, after making a comeback for the World Test Championship final against Australia at the Oval a month earlier. However, he found himself sidelined due to poor form and the selectors’ will to look beyond him. In March 2024, he captained Mumbai to their 42nd Ranji Trophy title. He expressed a willingness to return to India’s Test team for one last time, but his lack of runs in domestic cricket for Mumbai didn’t support his cause.During his illustrious career, Rahane became one of India’s most reliable middle-order batters away from home, where he scored eight of his 12 Test tons, with one each coming in England and New Zealand and two each in Sri Lanka and West Indies.“From those early days traveling from Dombivli as a young boy just to practice, I gave this game everything I had. 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. 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.”“I look forward to helping the next generation, sharing the values this sport has taught me, and giving back to the game that has given me everything. From starting out as a young player in Mumbai, to playing for India, it has been an absolute honor. There have been many wins and losses along the way, but the sheer joy of playing cricket, being part of different teams, and creating lifelong memories, that has been the greatest satisfaction of my career. To the BCCI, the MCA, my teammates, my coaches, every IPL franchise, to Radhika, my entire family, my friends, and everyone who stood by me, thank you.“And a very special thank you to all the cricket fans who supported me through every high and low. Ajinkya means unbeatable, but cricket has shown me defeat many times. As cricketers, we fail more often than we succeed. My team has lost matches, I have made mistakes, but there is one place where I was never defeated, and that was in your hearts. (In Marathi) You always treated me like your own. Thank you for your love, your faith, and your support. Cap number 278, signing off,” said Rahane in is video message. Reacting to Rahane’s decision, Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) president Ajinkya Naik said, “Ajinkya Rahane’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Indian cricket. His dedication, composure under pressure, and commitment to excellence have made him one of Mumbai cricket’s finest ambassadors. His legacy will inspire generations to come.”
