Overview
Ajinkya Madhukar Rahane is an Indian international cricketer who has represented India in Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). A right-handed top-order batter known for his composed temperament and technical correctness, he is regarded as one of India's most reliable middle-order batsmen in Test cricket during the 2010s. He has served as vice-captain of the Indian Test team and led the side in several Tests, most notably during the 2020–21 Border–Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Key facts
| Full name | Ajinkya Madhukar Rahane |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 June 1988, Ashwi Khurd, Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Bowling | Right-arm medium (occasional) |
| Role | Top-order batter; occasional slip fielder |
| Domestic team | Mumbai |
| IPL teams | Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings |
| International debut (Test) | 2013, vs Australia, Delhi |
| International debut (ODI) | 2011, vs England |
| International debut (T20I) | 2011, vs England |
Background and early life
Rahane was born on 6 June 1988 in Ashwi Khurd, a village in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, before his family moved to Mumbai. He began training in cricket from a young age and was coached by Pravin Amre, a former India Test player, who has been credited as a major influence on his batting technique. He honed his game through Mumbai's club cricket and age-group circuit, which has historically produced a long line of Test cricketers.
Domestic career
Rahane made his first-class debut for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy in the 2007–08 season. He soon established himself as a prolific run-scorer in Indian domestic cricket, playing important roles in Mumbai's Ranji Trophy campaigns. He has also represented West Zone in the Duleep Trophy and India A in unofficial Tests and one-day matches, where strong performances paved the way for his selection to the senior national side.
International career
Limited-overs debut
Rahane was first selected for India's limited-overs squads in 2011, making his T20I and ODI debuts during India's tour of England. He was used variously as an opener and middle-order batter in white-ball cricket.
Test cricket
After spending a significant period as a reserve batter on overseas tours, Rahane made his Test debut in March 2013 against Australia at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi. He cemented his place in the side later that year and produced consistent performances in challenging overseas conditions, earning a reputation as one of India's most dependable batters away from home. He has scored Test centuries in Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies.
Captaincy
Rahane was appointed vice-captain of the Indian Test side under Virat Kohli. He led India in Kohli's absence on multiple occasions. His most prominent stint as captain came during the 2020–21 tour of Australia, when he took charge from the second Test after Kohli returned home on paternity leave. Under his leadership, India won the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where Rahane scored a century, and went on to win the series 2–1 to retain the Border–Gavaskar Trophy.
Return after a break
After being dropped from the Indian side in 2022, Rahane returned to Test cricket in 2023, including a recall for the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval, London. He was subsequently named vice-captain for the Test tour of the West Indies that followed.
Indian Premier League
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Rahane has played for several franchises, including Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings. He captained Rajasthan Royals and Rising Pune Supergiant during his stints with those teams. He was part of the Chennai Super Kings squad that won the IPL title in 2023.
Playing style
Rahane is a classical right-handed batter known for a tight technique, soft hands and the ability to play late, qualities that have made him particularly effective in seaming and swinging conditions overseas. He is also regarded as one of India's finest slip fielders, with a high catch-success rate in the cordon during his peak years in Test cricket.
Significance
Rahane is considered an important figure in Indian Test cricket of the 2010s and early 2020s, contributing crucial overseas runs during a period in which India became a leading Test side. His leadership during the 2020–21 series win in Australia—achieved with a depleted squad due to injuries and absences—is often cited as one of the most notable captaincy performances in Indian cricket history.
Personal life
Rahane is married to Radhika Dhopavkar; the couple have two children. He is known for a low-key public persona and has spoken about the influence of his coach Pravin Amre and Mumbai's cricketing culture on his career.
Related topics
- India national cricket team
- Mumbai cricket team
- Ranji Trophy
- Border–Gavaskar Trophy
- Indian Premier League
- Chennai Super Kings
- Rajasthan Royals
- Virat Kohli
- Pravin Amre
- World Test Championship
References
- Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) player profiles.
- International Cricket Council (ICC) player records.
- ESPNcricinfo player profile: Ajinkya Rahane.
- Cricket Archive and Wisden almanack records of Indian Test and ODI matches.