Ajinkya Rahane at Idea Exchange: ‘I never worried about my batting position and milestones. It was always about the team’

Ajinkya Rahane, former India captain and international cricket star, discussed his career journey and retirement in a session moderated by Devendra Pandey of The Indian Express. Rahane reflected on his 30-year cricketing journey, starting from the age of 7-8, and spoke about his decision to retire at the right time.

Rahane emphasized that his primary focus during his career was always to serve the team, rather than worrying about his batting position or individual milestones. He highlighted that he was never concerned about the order in which he batted, be it No. 3, No. 5, or No. 7, in Tests and ODIs. For Rahane, each knock carried its own significance, whether it was a special century or a crucial 40, 50, or 60 run innings that contributed to the team's success.

Some of his most memorable innings included the 112 runs scored against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2020 and the 103 runs scored against England at Lord's in 2014. However, Rahane placed equal value on his 48 runs against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2018 and his unbeaten 38 runs in Sydney against Australia in 2015, which helped India draw the Test match. These innings came in various conditions, such as turners, uneven bounce, and challenging situations, which fueled his motivation and satisfaction.

Reflecting on his leadership style, Rahane acknowledged that as a captain, he had to take responsibility for the team's performance and sometimes had to step aside to allow players to perform freely. He aimed to make himself less noticeable, enabling the team to focus on their collective achievements. One of his most memorable innings, the 118 runs scored at Wellington in 2014, was particularly special because he maintained his focus on the moment and the game, instead of thinking about the milestone.