New Delhi, August 1: Former Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has lauded Ajinkya Rahane’s leadership and generosity following his announcement to retire from international cricket. Pujara described Rahane’s match-winning century against Australia during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne in 2020 as a defining moment of his character.
Rahane played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20 Internationals for India. His last international match was in July 2023 against the West Indies. He scored 5,077 runs in Tests at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries. In ODIs, he amassed 2,962 runs at an average of 35.26, with three centuries to his name.
In T20 Internationals, Rahane scored 375 runs at a strike rate of 113. He captained India in six Test matches, winning four and drawing two. Additionally, he was part of the teams for the 2015 ODI World Cup and the T20 World Cups in 2014 and 2016. Reflecting on Rahane’s remarkable career and memorable partnerships, Pujara praised his ability to remain calm under pressure and lead the team without arrogance, especially after India was bowled out for 36 runs in Adelaide during the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
In his column for ESPN Cricinfo, Pujara wrote, “If you want to understand Ajinkya Rahane as a person, player, personality, leader, and team man, watch his century against Australia in the 2020 Boxing Day Test. That innings defined his character.”
Pujara further noted, “This was the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, just a week after India was bowled out for 36 runs in Adelaide. Rahane was captaining the team in Melbourne after Virat Kohli returned to India for the birth of his child. There was pressure, but Rahane didn’t let it overwhelm him. He simply played his game. We were losing wickets, but he stood firm and ultimately completed his century. For me, it was one of the best innings played under pressure. Leading the team as a captain and showing how to bat in such conditions was remarkable.”
Highlighting Rahane’s inclusive leadership style in the absence of key players, Pujara explained how the right-handed batsman from Mumbai encouraged senior players to guide younger team members. He said, “Rahane told us that we could talk to the young players however we wanted and give them any advice we felt was necessary. This created an environment where everyone’s voice was heard, and even if you weren’t in a leadership role, you were still contributing. As a captain, his strength was keeping things very simple. There was no ego about who was the best in the team. Everything was focused on how to get the best performance out of all players.”
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