Ajinkya Rahane Opens Up About Emotional Retirement, Calls from Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

• by Akanksha Mishra
• 2026-08-11 15:41:00

Indian cricket recently witnessed the end of a golden chapter as dependable Test stalwart Ajinkya Rahane officially announced his retirement from international cricket. After serving as the formidable backbone of India's batting lineup—particularly on challenging foreign pitches—and leading the national team to historic triumphs as captain, Rahane's departure has left fans emotional. In a recent heart-to-heart interview, the veteran batsman revealed fascinating behind-the-scenes details of who reached out to him first after he hung up his boots, sharing the emotional turmoil of making one of the toughest decisions of his life.

Sachin Tendulkar Was the First to Call, Expressed Disappointment

Opening up about the moments following his retirement announcement, Ajinkya Rahane shared with The Indian Express that the very first person to call him was none other than legendary batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar. According to Rahane, the cricket icon was visibly disappointed by his decision, believing that the gritty right-hander still had more years of international cricket left in him. Rahane recalled, "The first call I got was from Sachin Paaji. He was saying that I should play longer. I told him that I don't want to prolong my career because I am retiring without any regrets. I am happy because I gave my all."

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Cheteshwar Pujara Sent Messages

The outpouring of respect from the cricketing fraternity did not stop there. Rahane revealed that alongside Sachin Tendulkar's phone call, several of his close teammates and contemporaries reached out to offer their best wishes. Former captain Virat Kohli, current skipper Rohit Sharma, seasoned batter Cheteshwar Pujara, and former all-rounder Irfan Pathan personally called or messaged him. To all of them, Rahane delivered a consistent message of contentment, emphasizing that he walks away with absolute peace of mind, knowing he left every ounce of energy on the field for his country.

"I Cried a Lot After Recording the Video": Rahane Gets Candid About Emotional Breakdown

While Rahane maintained a composed public facade, stepping away from the game he loved for decades took a heavy emotional toll behind closed doors. Revealing his vulnerable side, the former vice-captain admitted that he broke down in tears immediately after filming his retirement message. "I cried a lot after recording the video. I got very emotional talking to my family about retirement, but I didn't know the recording would affect me so much. The fact that I won't be doing what I've loved for years is very painful. This thought stayed with me throughout the recording," Rahane shared, encapsulating the deep sacrifice and passion defining a true professional athlete's journey.

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