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    STUMP VISION                                                          AUGUST 07, 2026      |  The Indian Eye 44

              4 Words That Defined Ajinkya Rahane:

                        Calm, Class, Courage, Character

             Rahane contributed in many ways. He was one of the safest slip fielders in world cricket, holding

                the record for eight catches by a non-wicketkeeper in a single Test against Sri Lanka in Galle

            ARCHAN MEHTA

                     hen Ajinkya Madhukar
                     Rahane shared his fare-
            Wwell message titled “Cap
            278 Signing Off,” Indian cricket said
            goodbye to one of its most depend-
            able players. His international ca-
            reer  lasted  15  years,  during  which
            he played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs, and 20
            T20Is, scoring 8,414 runs and 15 cen-
            turies. But Rahane’s legacy is not just
            about numbers. It is about courage,
            humility, and always putting the team
            first.  In  an  era  filled  with  superstar
            personalities, Rahane quietly became
            India’s most trusted man in difficult
            situations.
                Rahane’s journey began in the
            small town of Dombivli near Mum-
            bai. As a youngster, he travelled long
            distances on crowded local trains car-
            rying heavy cricket bags, chasing his
            dream every single day. Under coach
            Pravin Amre, he developed a solid
            batting technique and a calm mind-
            set that would later help him succeed
            on the toughest pitches around the
            world. Before making his India de-
            but,  Rahane  had  already  become
            a star in domestic cricket, scoring     After being written off in T20 cricket, Rahane enjoyed a remarkable comeback with Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2023 (File photo)
            heavily for Mumbai and helping the
            team win another Ranji Trophy title.   drawing three. That shows just how   home, Rahane took over the captain-  istan’s players to join India’s trophy
            Those years taught him discipline,   important his big innings were to the   cy under immense pressure. Injuries   celebrations  after  their  first  Test
            patience and the ability to handle   team’s success.                ruled out several senior players, but   or accepting different batting roles
            pressure.                             Rahane contributed in many    he never lost his calm. He led from   without complaint, Rahane always
                When  he  finally  entered  inter-  other ways too. He was one of the   the front with a brilliant century in   placed the team’s success above per-
            national cricket, Rahane quickly   safest  slip  fielders  in  world  cricket,   Melbourne to level the series, guided   sonal achievements.
            earned a reputation as one of India’s   holding the record for eight catches   the team through a fighting draw in   As “Cap 278” walks away from
            best overseas batters. He loved chal-  by a non-wicketkeeper in a single Test   Sydney, and then inspired a young,   international cricket, he leaves be-
            lenges that many others struggled   against Sri Lanka in Galle. He also   inexperienced side to defeat Austra-  hind much more than runs, centuries
            with. Whether it  was  South  Africa,   showed that good players can rein-  lia at the Gabba, ending their 32-year   and records. He leaves an example of
            England, New Zealand or Australia,   vent themselves. After being written   unbeaten record at the venue. It re-  professionalism,  honesty  and  quiet
            Rahane  often  produced  his  finest   off in T20 cricket, Rahane enjoyed   mains one of the greatest overseas   leadership. His own farewell words
            performances on fast and bouncy   a remarkable comeback with Chen-  triumphs in Indian cricket history.  perhaps describe his career best: “I
            pitches. His memorable century at   nai Super Kings in IPL 2023. Playing   Rahane’s  leadership  reflected   lived by one simple rule: always put
            Lord’s in 2014 helped India record its   with greater freedom, he scored 326   his personality, calm, humble and   my country and my team ahead of
            first Test win there in 28 years. Later   runs at a strike rate of over 172, prov-  confident. He finished his Test cap-  myself. I played this game with com-
            that year, his superb 147 at the Mel-  ing that classical batting could still   taincy career unbeaten, winning four   plete honesty.” That is exactly how
            bourne  Cricket  Ground  confirmed   succeed in the modern T20 game.  of his six matches while drawing the   Ajinkya Rahane will be remembered,
            his  place  among  the  world’s  finest   The greatest chapter of Rahane’s   other two.               not just as a fine cricketer, but as the
            middle-order batters. One remark-  career came during India’s unforget-  Very few Indian captains can   quiet warrior who always answered
            able statistic sums up his value, India   table 2020-21 Test series in Australia.   match that record. Off the field, he   India’s toughest calls. His career may
            never lost a Test match when Rahane   After India were bowled out for 36   earned equal respect for his sports-  be over, but his legacy will continue
            scored a century, winning nine and   in Adelaide and Virat Kohli returned   manship. Whether inviting Afghan-  to inspire generations of cricketers.

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