Following Ajinkya Rahane's announcement that he is stepping away from all forms of cricket, former India captain Virat Kohli posted a heartfelt tribute on X on Thursday (July 30) to honor his long-time teammate.
Virat Kohli's heartfelt tribute to Ajinkya Rahane
Reflecting on their extensive history together across all formats, Kohli singled out the former Test vice-captain as his favorite batting partner at the highest level. Accompanying a photo of the duo, Kohli praised Rahane's reliability in the slip cordon, congratulating him on a remarkable career and expressing deep pride in everything he achieved for Indian cricket.
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The bond between the two batters was pivotal during a golden era for India’s Test side, where Rahane served as Kohli’s trusted deputy for over three years. Their partnership was central to India's historic first-ever Test series triumph on Australian soil in 2018-19. Their dynamic reached its peak during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy when Rahane seamlessly took over the captaincy after Kohli returned home on paternity leave following the first Test, famously guiding an injury-depleted Indian squad to an unforgettable 2-1 series win.
"Jinks, congratulations on a great career, buddy. You’ve done wonders for Indian cricket, and you can be very proud of your journey. The safest pair of hands in the slips and my favourite Test batting partner. Wishing you well always. God bless," Kohli's post on X read.
Ajinkya Rahane's rich legacy
Rahane leaves behind a rich international legacy that began with his Test debut against Australia in Delhi back in March 2013. Across an 85-match Test career, the right-hander amassed 5,077 runs, including 12 centuries and 26 fifties. The bulk of his success came during Virat Kohli's captaincy from 2014 to 2022, a tenure in which Rahane scored 3,550 runs over 63 appearances. Following his retirement announcement, teammates including KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Cheteshwar Pujara added their voices to the outpouring of respect for his career.
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Pujara, a frequent middle-order collaborator, posted a collection of images from the memorable 2020-21 Australian tour to mark the occasion. In a warm personal note, Pujara reflected on the deep bond they forged over many years of shared partnerships both on the pitch and in the locker room, wishing his long-time teammate success in his post-cricket chapter. Having last taken the field on May 24, 2026, for Kolkata Knight Riders against Delhi Capitals, Rahane's decision brings a definitive close to his competitive playing days, ruling out a return for the 2027 IPL season.