Ajinkya Rahane has revealed what Sachin Tendulkar told him after he announced his retirement from international cricket. Rahane ended his India career on July 30. He spent more than 10 years playing for the national team. During that time, he played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20Is.
The former India batter received messages and calls from several big names after his retirement. Sachin Tendulkar was the first to call him. Tendulkar told Rahane that he thought the batter would play for a few more years. Rahane, however, had already made his decision.
He did not want to continue just for the sake of playing. He felt he had done enough and could walk away without any regrets. Rahane spoke about the conversation in an interview with the Indian Express. He also revealed that Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Cheteshwar Pujara and Irfan Pathan contacted him after his retirement.
“The first call came from Sachin (Tendulkar) paaji, who said he thought I would play for longer. I told him I didn’t want to drag on because I was retiring without any regrets. Irfan Pathan also called, while Pujara, Virat, Rohit and Bumrah all messaged me. I told everyone the same thing: I was satisfied because I had given everything to the game,” Rahane told the Indian Express.
Rahane said he was happy with what he achieved in his career. He felt he had given his best every time he played for India.
Rahane breaks down after retirement video
Retirement was not easy for Rahane. He announced his decision through a video on social media. The former batter became emotional while recording the message.
Rahane later admitted that he cried a lot after finishing the video. He had spent most of his life playing cricket. So, saying goodbye to international cricket was always going to be difficult.
“After recording the video, I cried a lot. I was emotional while discussing retirement with my family, but I didn’t expect the recording itself to affect me so much. The reality hit that I would no longer do something I had loved for years. That thought stayed with me throughout the recording,” said Rahane.
Rahane’s career had many ups and downs. There were times when he lost his place in the India team. He also made several comebacks.
But he remained a respected player. He was especially important in Test cricket. He often performed when India were under pressure. Rahane will always be remembered for his role in India’s famous Test series win in Australia in 2020-21.
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India suffered a huge setback in the first Test in Adelaide. They were bowled out for just 36 runs in their second innings. Things became even harder after Virat Kohli returned to India.
Rahane took over as captain for the rest of the series. He responded in the best possible way. Rahane scored a century in the second Test in Melbourne. India won the match and levelled the series.
The team then suffered several injury problems. Many key players missed games. Young players stepped up when India needed them. India eventually won the series 2-1. They also retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The final Test at the Gabba was another huge moment. India beat Australia at the venue and ended Australia’s long unbeaten run there. Rahane’s leadership played an important part in the series.
That tour remains one of the biggest achievements of his career. Rahane finished his international career with more than 8,000 runs. He scored 5,077 runs in Test cricket. He also made 2,962 runs in ODIs. He played 20 T20Is for India.
His last appearance for India came in 2023. He played against the West Indies in Port of Spain. Rahane did not return to the Indian team after that. However, he continued playing domestic cricket.
He also remained an important player for Mumbai. He helped them win the Ranji Trophy in the 2024-25 season.
Rahane will continue playing cricket
Retirement from international cricket does not mean Rahane is completely done with cricket. He will continue to play professional cricket. Rahane is set to represent Steve Waugh’s Amsterdam Flames in the first edition of The Hundred.
So, fans will still have a chance to see him bat. For now, Rahane can look back at his India career with pride. He played in some of India’s biggest Test matches. He led the team during one of its most famous overseas series wins.
He also earned the respect of players such as Tendulkar, Kohli, Rohit, and Bumrah. Tendulkar may have wanted Rahane to continue. Rahane, however, felt it was time to stop. He wanted to leave without any regrets. After more than a decade with India, that is exactly how Rahane has chosen to end his international career.
