Virat Kohli hails Ajinkya Rahane as 'safest pair of hands in slips' on retirement
Synopsis
Virat Kohli's tribute to Ajinkya Rahane wasn't just a farewell — it was a reminder of how much India's Test golden era depended on an understated middle-order anchor. The man who breached the Gabba and rescued a tour after India's 36 all-out collapse now steps away, leaving behind a legacy built not on noise, but on nerve.
Key Takeaways
Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement from international cricket on 30 July , ending a career of over a decade.
Virat Kohli called Rahane the 'safest pair of hands in the slips' and his 'favourite Test batting partner' in a social media tribute.
Rishabh Pant praised Rahane's calmness, selflessness, and leadership by example.
Rahane played 85 Tests , scoring 5,077 runs with 12 centuries and 26 fifties in 144 innings .
His finest hour as captain: leading India to a 2-1 series win in Australia in 2020-21 , including a historic victory at the Gabba .
His last India appearance was the 2023 Test series against the West Indies .
Former India captain Virat Kohli has paid a warm tribute to Ajinkya Rahane, calling him the 'safest pair of hands in the slips' and his favourite Test batting partner, as the veteran batter announced his retirement from international cricket on Thursday, 30 July. Rahane's exit brings the curtain down on a career spanning more than a decade across all three formats.
Kohli's Tribute to a Trusted Partner
Kohli, who shared the crease with Rahane through some of India's most defining Test moments, posted a heartfelt message on social media. '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 wrote.
The message underscores the bond the two batters built over years of middle-order partnerships, particularly in the longer format where Rahane's composure under pressure was a reliable constant alongside Kohli's aggression.
Rishabh Pant Recalls Leadership and Selflessness
India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant also offered his tribute, highlighting Rahane's calm temperament and selfless approach to the team's cause. 'It felt good to share the dressing room with you, Ajju bhai. Calm in every situation, selfless in every role and a leader by example. Thank you for everything you have done for Indian cricket. Wishing you nothing but the best for what's next,' Pant posted.
A Career Defined by Numbers and a Historic Tour
Rahane made his India debut during the 2011 tour of England and went on to represent the country in 85 Tests, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20Is. He accumulated 5,077 runs in 144 Test innings, including 12 centuries and 26 fifties, along with 2,962 ODI runs. His final appearance for India came in the 2023 Test series against the West Indies.
Rahane's crowning achievement as a leader arrived during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour of Australia. After India were dismissed for a historic low of 36 in Adelaide and Kohli departed for paternity leave, Rahane stepped in as captain and orchestrated a stunning 2-1 series comeback. The turnaround included an eight-wicket win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the iconic breach of Australia's unbeaten fortress at the Gabba in Brisbane — a result widely regarded as one of Indian cricket's greatest overseas victories.
The Legacy Rahane Leaves Behind
Beyond statistics, Rahane's legacy is built on temperament. His ability to absorb pressure — whether anchoring a chase or steadying a collapse — made him a cornerstone of India's Test middle order through much of the 2010s. Notably, his captaincy at the Gabba remains a benchmark for crisis leadership in Indian cricket, a moment that redefined what the team believed it could achieve away from home.
With Rahane's retirement, Indian cricket closes a chapter on one of its most dependable Test-era figures. The next generation of middle-order batters will inherit a template of quiet, effective leadership that Rahane embodied throughout his career.
Point of View
Yet he spent his final years on the fringes of selection. The tributes from Kohli and Pant are genuine, but they also underscore a structural question Indian cricket has never fully answered: how it treats match-winners once their peak has passed. Rahane deserved a cleaner exit arc than the one he got.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ajinkya Rahane retire from international cricket?
Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement from international cricket and all formats on 30 July, bringing a career of over a decade to a close. No specific reason was publicly stated; the announcement followed a prolonged period out of the Indian national setup since his last appearance in 2023.
What did Virat Kohli say about Ajinkya Rahane's retirement?
Virat Kohli posted a tribute on social media calling Rahane the 'safest pair of hands in the slips' and his 'favourite Test batting partner,' congratulating him on a 'great career' and wishing him well. It was one of the most prominent farewells from a fellow cricketer.
What is Ajinkya Rahane's biggest achievement as India captain?
Rahane's standout captaincy moment was leading India to a 2-1 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series win in Australia in 2020-21, after stepping in when Virat Kohli returned home following India's 36 all-out collapse in Adelaide. The series included a historic win at the Gabba in Brisbane, where Australia had not lost a Test since 1988.
What are Ajinkya Rahane's career statistics?
Rahane played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20Is for India. He scored 5,077 runs in 144 Test innings with 12 centuries and 26 fifties, and accumulated 2,962 runs in ODIs. He made his international debut during India's 2011 tour of England.
When was Ajinkya Rahane's last match for India?
Rahane's final appearance for India was during the 2023 away Test series against the West Indies. He had been out of the national team since then before announcing his retirement on 30 July.
