Ajinkya Rahane’s retirement from cricket brought an emotional end to one of the more respected careers in Indian cricket. After announcing his decision to walk away from the game, Rahane received messages and calls from several former teammates and close friends.
But one former India great did not wait long to get in touch.
Sachin Tendulkar was the first person to call Ajinkya Rahane after his retirement announcement. Rahane recently revealed details of that conversation, saying Tendulkar told him that he had expected him to continue playing for a longer period.
Sachin Tendulkar Was the First to Call Rahane
Rahane’s bond with Tendulkar goes back to his early years in Indian cricket. Tendulkar was already one of the biggest names in the sport when Rahane was trying to establish himself, and their careers eventually overlapped in the India dressing room.
So, when Rahane announced his retirement, Tendulkar was the first former cricketer to call him.
During the conversation, Tendulkar told Rahane that he thought the Mumbai batter would play for a longer time. It was a simple observation, but coming from someone Rahane has admired throughout his career, it carried plenty of weight.
Rahane, though, was clear about his decision. He felt satisfied with what he had achieved and believed it was time to move on. That attitude has been a familiar part of Rahane’s personality throughout his career. He was rarely the loudest voice in the dressing room. Instead, he was known for his calm approach, patience and ability to stay composed when things became difficult.
Rahane Had No Regrets About Walking Away
Rahane called time on his career in all formats of the game on July 30, 2026.In his retirement message, Rahane said that everything in life has a beginning and an end. He also referred to the importance of timing, something he had always valued as a batter. His international career ended with 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is. He scored more than 8,000 international runs and played an important role in some of India’s biggest Test moments.
His biggest leadership achievement came during India’s famous tour of Australia in 2020-21. With Virat Kohli back home after the first Test, Rahane took over as captain and led India to a historic 2-1 series victory.
His century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the second Test became one of the defining moments of that tour. More importantly, Rahane helped restore confidence to an Indian side that had been bowled out for 36 in Adelaide. That series became a major part of his legacy.
Former Teammates Also Reached Out
Tendulkar was not the only former India player who contacted Rahane after the announcement.
Irfan Pathan called him, while Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Cheteshwar Pujara were among those who sent messages.
There is a reason those names stand out. Rahane spent a large part of his international career alongside these players. He was part of India’s Test side during a period when Kohli was captain, Rohit developed into an all-format leader, and Bumrah became one of the world’s leading fast bowlers.
Pujara, meanwhile, was Rahane’s long-time partner in India’s Test middle order.
The two were often seen batting together during India’s most important Test series. The course of their careers was parallel in the later part, with both experienced batsmen gradually leaving international cricket. For Rahane, hearing from these former teammates would have added another personal touch to his farewell.
A Career Built on Patience
Rahane’s career was never a straight line. He made his international debut in 2011 and had to wait before becoming a regular in Test cricket. In fact, he has recently spoken about spending two years around the Indian Test team as a 12th man, describing that period as one of the toughest phases of his career.
Once he got his chance, he showed why the selectors had kept faith in him. His Test career included important centuries overseas, crucial performances against strong attacks and a reputation for producing runs when India needed them. His slip catching was another major part of his value to the side.
Rahane, despite being dropped from the Test team, continued to fight his way back to the team. Rahane was brought back into the Test squad during India’s tour to the West Indies in 2023 and was part of the match at the Wankhede in the 2023 Wankhede Final between India and Australia. Rahane went on to play domestic cricket in Mumbai and was even part of IPL teams, leading the Kolkata Knight Riders for a while.
