Cheteshwar Pujara Ajinkya Rahane. Image Credits: X
Cheteshwar Pujara, a former India cricketer, has reacted to Ajinkya Rahane’s announcement of his retirement from international cricket. Rahane, former India Test captain, made the announcement on July 30, 2026.
The 38-year-old Ajinkya Rahane last participated in professional cricket in the 2026 Indian Premier League, where he led the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), scoring 335 runs from 14 games. The experienced batter ultimately ended his illustrious 17-year career, despite having lately stated that he wanted to rejoin the Indian team.
Cheteshwar Pujara wishes Ajinkya Rahane well on announcing his international retirement
Cheteshwar Pujara, former India cricketer, had announced his own retirement from all cricket in August 2025 and now congratulates Ajinkya Rahane on ending his brilliant career in international cricket.
“Congratulations on a career you can be incredibly proud of, Ajinkya! It has been an honor sharing the dressing room with you over the years and building partnerships and memories on and off the field that will always be fondly remembered. Wishing you and the family the absolute best in this next chapter,” Pujara posted on X.
Notably, Pujara, who made his India debut in 2008, and Rahane, who made his Test debut in 2013, were part of an amazing Indian batting lineup in the 2010s featuring Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and MS Dhoni.
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Ajinkya Rahane retires from international cricket
In a T20I against England in 2011, Rahane made his international debut for India, scoring an outstanding 69 off 31 balls. A few days later, he made his ODI debut in the final white-ball match for Rahul Dravid. Rahane won his Test cap in the 4th Test in Delhi during the 2013 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but he failed with scores of 1 and 7.
Ajinkya Rahane, known for his outstanding technique, cool temperament, and tremendous perseverance under duress, was a key member of India's middle order when the team ranked first in Tests from 2016 to 2021.
Rahane will be recognized for leading the Indian team to one of its finest accomplishments, the historic 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory in Australia.
Stepping in as captain under enormous pressure following a humiliating setback in Adelaide, his magnificent century at Melbourne and calm leadership energized a bruised, injury-depleted side to secure a historic 2-1 series victory.
Ajinkya Rahane’s record in Tests for India
Ajinkya Rahane appeared in 85 Tests for India, scoring 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46 with 12 centuries and 26 fifties, with the highest score of 188. He also scored two centuries in the same Test once.
In ODIs, Rahane played 90 games, scoring 2962 runs at an average of 35.26, hitting 3 centuries and 24 fifties, with the highest score being 111. He also played 20 T20Is, scoring 375 runs with one fifty to his name. He was part of the Indian squad that played in 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups.
He also played in the 2015 ICC World Cup, where India reached the semi-finals. In Tests, Ajinkya Rahane was part of the two finals India played of the ICC World Test Championship in 2021 and 2023.
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