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‘Ajinkya Rahane deserved 100 Tests’
Gaurav Gupta | Aug 05, 2026, 04:00 IST
‘Ajinkya Rahane deserved 100 Tests’
‘Quiet warrior’ Ajinkya Rahane signs off after an 85-Test career that many believe should have been even longer
Mumbai: Around 20 years ago, then Mumbai Under-19 coach Sulakshan Kulkarni asked his players to write down their targets for the Cooch Behar Trophy season.
To his surprise, captain Ajinkya Rahane wrote 450.
“’It’s too little, Ajju,’ I told him.
“’I scored 315 runs last season, sir,’ he replied.
“’But if you want to make the India Under-19 team, you need — and are capable of scoring — at least 650 runs. Once you cross that mark, I’ll give you a fresh target. You need to be in the ‘self-select’ category,’” Kulkarni, now the head coach of Oman, recalled to Mumbai Mirror on Thursday, the day Rahane announced his retirement after an 85-Test career that yielded 5,077 runs at 38.46, including 12 centuries. Overall, the 38-year-old amassed 14,209 first-class runs at 44.96, with 42 hundreds and 59 fifties.
“The 2005-06 season, Ajju scored 762 runs in seven matches and captained Mumbai to the Cooch Behar Trophy title. It was a brilliant campaign. He soon became vice-captain of the India Under-19 team and, the following season, made his Ranji Trophy debut for Mumbai,” Kulkarni said.
Former India batter Pravin Amre, who coached Rahane during his early years with Mumbai before becoming his personal coach, described him as a cricketer who thrived under pressure.
“I was there when he made his Mumbai debut against Karachi Urban in Pakistan in 2007 and scored 143. It was something special. He was a quiet warrior who always enjoyed pressure and never showed off. Whenever he got an opportunity, he gave his best. I’m proud of what he achieved,” Amre said.
Amre hoped Rahane would remain closely associated with the game.
“I wish him all the best for his second innings. He can become a very good coach or commentator, but I want him to stay connected with cricket because you cannot buy experience in the supermarket.”
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer felt Rahane’s journey reflected old-school perseverance.
“He and (Cheteshwar) Pujara had to wait because the ‘Fab Four’ were still around. They forced their way into the Indian team through mountains of first-class runs. It wasn’t like today, when players get fast-tracked because of the IPL,” Jaffer said.
“However, I still feel Rahane underachieved. Someone of his talent should have played more than 100 Tests and averaged above 45. Even then, playing 85 Tests is a tremendous achievement. His crowning glory was leading India to that famous Test series win in Australia in 2020-21.”
Kulkarni believes Rahane’s legacy extends beyond his batting.
“Ajinkya will be remembered for his overseas performances, especially in the SENA countries. He scored centuries at iconic venues like Lord’s and the Melbourne Cricket Ground, apart from that memorable 96 in Durban. And, of course, he led India from the depths of being bowled out for 36 in Adelaide to one of our greatest Test series wins. Had he been given a longer run as captain, he would have achieved even more.”
Reacting to Rahane’s retirement, Mumbai Cricket Association president Ajinkya Naik said: “Ajinkya Rahane’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Indian cricket. His dedication, composure under pressure and commitment to excellence made him one of Mumbai cricket’s finest ambassadors. His legacy will inspire generations to come.”
Kulkarni also singled out Rahane’s leadership in Mumbai’s 2023-24 Ranji Trophy triumph, despite the batter enduring a lean season with just 214 runs in eight matches at 17.83.
“Like Ravi Shastri before him, Rahane signed off by leading Mumbai to the Ranji Trophy. Averaging just 17 while captaining the champions was extraordinary. I don’t think you’ll find another Mumbai captain who achieved that. His leadership made the difference.”
Former India wicketkeeper and renowned domestic coach Chandrakant Pandit termed Rahane’s second-innings 73 in the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha as the turning point of the title clash. Rahane shared a crucial 130-run third-wicket stand with centurion Musheer Khan as Mumbai went on to win by 169 runs.
“He hadn’t made too many runs before the final, but experienced players don’t just score runs — they settle dressing rooms. As long as someone like Ajinkya was at the crease, there was always a threat. That partnership changed the game and gave Mumbai a huge psychological edge,” Pandit said.
Pandit also admired Rahane’s character as much as his cricket.
“He was a genuine Test batter in the mould of VVS Laxman — committed, disciplined and sincere. Even in the IPL, he never came under unnecessary pressure. Whether for Mumbai or KKR, he always wanted the team to stay together. Very few top players possess that quality.”
Recalling the first time he watched Rahane bat, Pandit said: “The first time I saw him was at the MCA Indoor Academy. His work ethic stood out immediately. No coach had to push him. His willingness to learn was exceptional and he devoted countless hours to improving. Experts may debate his technique, but I’d rate him very highly because of the way he applied himself.”
To his surprise, captain Ajinkya Rahane wrote 450.
“’It’s too little, Ajju,’ I told him.
“’I scored 315 runs last season, sir,’ he replied.
“’But if you want to make the India Under-19 team, you need — and are capable of scoring — at least 650 runs. Once you cross that mark, I’ll give you a fresh target. You need to be in the ‘self-select’ category,’” Kulkarni, now the head coach of Oman, recalled to Mumbai Mirror on Thursday, the day Rahane announced his retirement after an 85-Test career that yielded 5,077 runs at 38.46, including 12 centuries. Overall, the 38-year-old amassed 14,209 first-class runs at 44.96, with 42 hundreds and 59 fifties.
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“The 2005-06 season, Ajju scored 762 runs in seven matches and captained Mumbai to the Cooch Behar Trophy title. It was a brilliant campaign. He soon became vice-captain of the India Under-19 team and, the following season, made his Ranji Trophy debut for Mumbai,” Kulkarni said.
Former India batter Pravin Amre, who coached Rahane during his early years with Mumbai before becoming his personal coach, described him as a cricketer who thrived under pressure.
“I was there when he made his Mumbai debut against Karachi Urban in Pakistan in 2007 and scored 143. It was something special. He was a quiet warrior who always enjoyed pressure and never showed off. Whenever he got an opportunity, he gave his best. I’m proud of what he achieved,” Amre said.
Amre hoped Rahane would remain closely associated with the game.
“I wish him all the best for his second innings. He can become a very good coach or commentator, but I want him to stay connected with cricket because you cannot buy experience in the supermarket.”
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer felt Rahane’s journey reflected old-school perseverance.
“He and (Cheteshwar) Pujara had to wait because the ‘Fab Four’ were still around. They forced their way into the Indian team through mountains of first-class runs. It wasn’t like today, when players get fast-tracked because of the IPL,” Jaffer said.
“However, I still feel Rahane underachieved. Someone of his talent should have played more than 100 Tests and averaged above 45. Even then, playing 85 Tests is a tremendous achievement. His crowning glory was leading India to that famous Test series win in Australia in 2020-21.”
Kulkarni believes Rahane’s legacy extends beyond his batting.
“Ajinkya will be remembered for his overseas performances, especially in the SENA countries. He scored centuries at iconic venues like Lord’s and the Melbourne Cricket Ground, apart from that memorable 96 in Durban. And, of course, he led India from the depths of being bowled out for 36 in Adelaide to one of our greatest Test series wins. Had he been given a longer run as captain, he would have achieved even more.”
Reacting to Rahane’s retirement, Mumbai Cricket Association president Ajinkya Naik said: “Ajinkya Rahane’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Indian cricket. His dedication, composure under pressure and commitment to excellence made him one of Mumbai cricket’s finest ambassadors. His legacy will inspire generations to come.”
Kulkarni also singled out Rahane’s leadership in Mumbai’s 2023-24 Ranji Trophy triumph, despite the batter enduring a lean season with just 214 runs in eight matches at 17.83.
“Like Ravi Shastri before him, Rahane signed off by leading Mumbai to the Ranji Trophy. Averaging just 17 while captaining the champions was extraordinary. I don’t think you’ll find another Mumbai captain who achieved that. His leadership made the difference.”
Former India wicketkeeper and renowned domestic coach Chandrakant Pandit termed Rahane’s second-innings 73 in the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha as the turning point of the title clash. Rahane shared a crucial 130-run third-wicket stand with centurion Musheer Khan as Mumbai went on to win by 169 runs.
“He hadn’t made too many runs before the final, but experienced players don’t just score runs — they settle dressing rooms. As long as someone like Ajinkya was at the crease, there was always a threat. That partnership changed the game and gave Mumbai a huge psychological edge,” Pandit said.
Pandit also admired Rahane’s character as much as his cricket.
“He was a genuine Test batter in the mould of VVS Laxman — committed, disciplined and sincere. Even in the IPL, he never came under unnecessary pressure. Whether for Mumbai or KKR, he always wanted the team to stay together. Very few top players possess that quality.”
Recalling the first time he watched Rahane bat, Pandit said: “The first time I saw him was at the MCA Indoor Academy. His work ethic stood out immediately. No coach had to push him. His willingness to learn was exceptional and he devoted countless hours to improving. Experts may debate his technique, but I’d rate him very highly because of the way he applied himself.”
