Ajinkya Rahane retired from international cricket as a captain with a record that no Indian captain has achieved in Test matches and One Day Internationals. Where many great captains made names for themselves with years of experience at their backs, Rahane ended up retiring without ever having lost a single Test match as the captain of the India national team. He captained the team in six Test matches, won four, and drew two. In addition to this unbeaten streak, he boasts an undefeated record in One Day Internationals, winning all three matches that he played in.
Rahane announced his retirement with a brief but emotional message: “Cap 278 signing off. Thank you for all the love and support over the years. Forever grateful.”
The announcement ended a career filled with important centuries across different countries. However, his greatest legacy remains the unforgettable 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he guided an injury-hit Indian side to a historic series victory under immense pressure.
Ajinkya Rahane’s Leadership Defined India’s Famous Australia Tour in 2020-21
Rahane’s most significant impact came after India faced a tough collapse in Adelaide and regular captain Virat Kohli headed home. Stepping up to lead a team missing several key players, Rahane maintained his composure throughout the tour and showed unwavering support for a group of less experienced cricketers. Young talents like Mohammed Siraj, Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, and T Natarajan rose to the occasion, delivering match-winning performances that helped India pull off a stunning 2-1 series victory against Australia. The series concluded with a historic win at the Gabba, a venue where Australia had been unbeaten in Tests for 32 years, marking one of India’s greatest achievements abroad.
Rahane also made a strong impact with the bat during his time as captain. He amassed 359 runs in six Tests at an average of 39.88, highlighted by a crucial century in Melbourne that shifted the momentum of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Over his international career, he played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20Is, racking up over 8,400 runs and notching 15 international centuries. But beyond the statistics, Rahane earned admiration for his calm demeanor, quiet leadership, and faith in his teammates. He wasn’t one to seek the spotlight, yet he consistently rose to the occasion when it mattered most. His unbeaten Test record, paired with India’s legendary victory in Australia, ensures that his captaincy will be remembered as one of the most extraordinary chapters in the history of Indian cricket.
