Rahane set for Test commentary debut in India's Sri Lanka tour
Synopsis
Ajinkya Rahane's post-retirement move is swift and high-profile: barely weeks after closing an 18-year first-class career, the former India captain steps into the commentary box for India's Test series in Sri Lanka on Sony Sports — bringing 85 Tests and 5,077 runs worth of tactical insight to the broadcast.
Key Takeaways
Ajinkya Rahane will make his Test commentary debut on 15 August during India's tour of Sri Lanka .
He will be part of the broadcast panel on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV .
Rahane played 85 Tests for India, scoring 5,077 runs with 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries .
The move follows his retirement from a first-class career spanning nearly 18 years .
Rajesh Kaul of Sony Pictures Networks India welcomed Rahane to the commentary panel, citing his composure and reading of the game.
Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane is set to swap the batting crease for the commentary box, making his Test commentary debut when India's two-Test tour of Sri Lanka gets underway on 15 August. The transition marks the beginning of a new chapter for the 37-year-old, barely weeks after he drew the curtain on a first-class career spanning nearly 18 years.
From the Field to the Microphone
Rahane will join the broadcast panel on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV for the two-match series. Having spent the better part of two decades navigating the pressures of Test cricket at the highest level, he is expected to bring a tactician's eye to the coverage — dissecting field placements, reading match situations, and contextualising the pivotal moments that define a five-day contest.
A Decorated Test Career Behind Him
Rahane's credentials for the role are hard to dispute. Across 85 Test matches for India, he accumulated 5,077 runs, including 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries. His experience of performing in varied overseas conditions — from Melbourne to Lord's — gives him a depth of reference that few commentators can match. His celebrated 112 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2020, which helped India overturn a follow-on and win the series, remains one of the most storied Test innings of the decade.
What Rahane Said
Rahane expressed genuine enthusiasm for the new role. 'I'm excited to make my Test commentary debut for India's tour of Sri Lanka on the Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV. Test cricket is the pinnacle of our sport, and having represented India in the format for so many years, it is a privilege to now look at the game from a different perspective. I'm looking forward to sharing experiences, breaking down the nuances of the game and offering fans insights into the decisions, strategies and moments that can shape a Test match. I hope to make the broadcast experience more enriching for fans and give them a deeper understanding of what happens on the field,' he said.
Sony Sports Welcomes the Addition
Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer and Business Head, Sports and International, Sony Pictures Networks India, said Rahane's appointment was a natural fit. 'Ajinkya Rahane has always stood out for his composure, resilience and astute reading of the game. As he makes his Test commentary debut on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV, viewers will get to hear his perspective on the format he knows so well. We are delighted to have him as part of our commentary panel for India's tour of Sri Lanka and look forward to the experience and insight he will bring to our coverage,' Kaul said.
What to Watch
The two-Test series begins on 15 August, a date that carries its own symbolic weight — India's Independence Day. With Rahane offering real-time analysis from the broadcast booth, the series will serve as an early indicator of how effectively his cricketing intelligence translates to the commentary craft. Fans and broadcasters alike will be watching closely.
Point of View
But he steps in almost immediately after retirement, and for a series beginning on Independence Day no less. The real question is whether his reputation for quiet, tactical intelligence — qualities that served him well at the crease — will translate into the more performative demands of live commentary. Sony's investment in him signals a broader industry shift toward active-era cricketers over legacy voices, a trend that has reshaped broadcast panels across cricket markets. Whether Rahane becomes a Sanjay Manjrekar or a Ravi Shastri in the booth will take more than one series to determine.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Ajinkya Rahane make his Test commentary debut?
Ajinkya Rahane makes his Test commentary debut on 15 August, when India's two-Test tour of Sri Lanka begins. He will commentate on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV.
Why did Ajinkya Rahane move into commentary?
Rahane transitioned to commentary shortly after retiring from a first-class career of nearly 18 years. He has said the role gives him a chance to view Test cricket from a different perspective and share tactical insights with fans.
What is Ajinkya Rahane's Test record?
Rahane played 85 Tests for India, scoring 5,077 runs with 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries. He is widely regarded for his performances in challenging overseas conditions.
Where can fans watch Rahane's commentary debut?
Rahane's commentary debut will be broadcast on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV, which hold the broadcast rights for India's tour of Sri Lanka.
How many Tests does India play in Sri Lanka?
India plays a two-Test series in Sri Lanka, with the first match beginning on 15 August.
