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{{Short description|Indian cricketer (born 1988)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| name               = Ajinkya Rahane
| image              = Ajinkya Rahane 2016 (cropped).jpg
| caption            = Rahane in 2016
| fullname           = Ajinkya Madhukar Rahane
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1988|06|06|df=yes}}
| birth_place        = [[Ashwi KD]], Maharashtra, India<!-- Should be in "city/town, state, country" format-->
| batting            = Right-handed
| bowling            = Right-arm [[off spin]]
| role               = Batter
| international      = true
| internationalspan  = 2011–2023
| country            = India
| testdebutdate      = 22 March
| testdebutyear      = 2013
| testdebutagainst   = Australia
| testcap            = 278
| lasttestdate       = 20 July
| lasttestyear       = 2023
| lasttestagainst    = West Indies
| odidebutdate       = 3 September
| odidebutyear       = 2011
| odidebutagainst    = England
| odicap             = 191
| lastodidate        = 16 February
| lastodiyear        = 2018
| lastodiagainst     = South Africa 
| odishirt           = 27
| T20Idebutdate      = 31 August
| T20Idebutyear      = 2011
| T20Idebutagainst   = England
| T20Icap            = 39
| lastT20Idate       = 28 August
| lastT20Iyear       = 2016
| lastT20Iagainst    = West Indies
| T20Ishirt          = 27
| club1              = [[Mumbai cricket team|Mumbai]]
| year1              = {{nowrap|2006/07–present}}
| club2              = [[Mumbai Indians]]
| year2              = 2008–2009<!--did not play in 2010-->
| club3              = [[Rajasthan Royals]]
| year3              = 2011–2015, 2018-2019
| club4              = [[Rising Pune Supergiant]]
| year4              = 2016–2017
| club5              = [[Hampshire County Cricket Club|Hampshire]]
| year5              = 2019
| club6              = [[Delhi Capitals]]
| year6              = 2020–2021
| club7              = [[Kolkata Knight Riders]]
| year7              = 2022, 2025–present
| club8              = [[Chennai Super Kings]]
| year8              = 2023–2024
| club9             = [[Leicestershire County Cricket Club|Leicestershire]]
| year9             = 2024
| columns            = 4
|      hidedeliveries = true
| column1            = [[Test cricket|Test]]
| column2            = [[One Day International|ODI]]
| column3            = [[Twenty20 International|T20I]]
| column4            = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
| matches1           = 85
| matches2           = 90
| matches3           = 20
| matches4           = 201
| runs1              = 5,077
| runs2              = 2,962
| runs3              = 375
| runs4              = 14,000
| bat avg1           = 38.46
| bat avg2           = 35.26                
| bat avg3           = 20.83
| bat avg4           = 45.16
| 100s/50s1          = 12/26
| 100s/50s2          = 3/24
| 100s/50s3          = 0/1
| 100s/50s4          = 41/59
| top score1         = 188
| top score2         = 111
| top score3         =  61
| top score4         = 265[[not out|*]]
| deliveries1        = 0
| deliveries2        = 0
| deliveries3        = 0
| deliveries4        = 108
| wickets1           = 0
| wickets2           = 0
| wickets3           = 0
| wickets4           = 0
| bowl avg1          = –
| bowl avg2          = –
| bowl avg3          = –
| bowl avg4          = 14.33
| fivefor1           = –
| fivefor2           = –
| fivefor3           = –
| fivefor4           = 0
| tenfor1            = –
| tenfor2            = –
| tenfor3            = –
| tenfor4            = 0
| best bowling1      = –
| best bowling2      = –
| best bowling3      = –
| best bowling4      = 2/36
| catches/stumpings1 = 102/-
| catches/stumpings2 = 48/–
| catches/stumpings3 = 16/–
| catches/stumpings4 = 220/–
| source             = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/277916.html ESPNcricinfo
| date               = 5 October
| year               = 2025
|medaltemplates= <!-- Mention Host/Cohost(s) names for team sports -->
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Cricket]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{cr|IND}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[ICC T20 World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2014 ICC World Twenty20|2014 Bangladesh]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[ICC Champions Trophy]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2017 ICC Champions Trophy|2017 England and Wales]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[World Test Championship|ICC World Test Championship]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2019–2021 World Test Championship|2019-2021]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2021–2023 World Test Championship|2021-2023]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[ACC Asia Cup]]}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[Asia Cup 2016|2016 Bangladesh]]|}}
}}

'''Ajinkya Rahane''' (born 6 June 1988) is an Indian [[cricket]]er and former captain and vice-captain of the [[India national cricket team|Indian cricket team]]. He currently captains [[Kolkata Knight Riders]] in the [[Indian Premier League]]. He is the former captain of [[Mumbai cricket team|Mumbai]]. He played primarily as a middle-order batsman in the [[Test cricket|Test format]] and as a top-order batsman in white-ball forms of the game. India lost only one match under his captaincy.

Rahane made his first-class debut in [[2007–08 Ranji Trophy]] season for Mumbai. He made his international debut in a [[Twenty20 International]] against [[England cricket team|England]] at [[Manchester]] in August 2011<ref name="espncricinfo.com">[http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-india-2012/content/player/277916.html Ajinkya Rahane | India Cricket | Cricket Players and Officials]. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 2013-12-23.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cricket.yahoo.com/news/professional-companies-should-manage-cricketers-041823900.html|title=Professional companies should manage cricketers|date=9 June 2013|work=Yahoo Cricket India}}</ref> and his Test debut in March 2013 against [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]]. His first Test [[Century (cricket)|century]] came at the [[Basin Reserve]], [[Wellington]] against [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/player/ajinkya-rahane-277916|title=Ajinkya Rahane profile and biography, stats, records, averages, photos and videos|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> Under his captaincy, India won the [[Indian cricket team in Australia in 2020–21|2020-21 Border–Gavaskar Trophy]] in Australia.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/england-in-india/ajinkya-rahanes-captaincy-masterclass-puts-the-heat-on-virat-kohli-as-england-loom/articleshow/80362534.cms|title=Ajinkya Rahane's captaincy masterclass puts the heat on Virat Kohli as England loom. Cricket News - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=20 January 2021 }}</ref>

==Early and personal life==

Rahane was born on 6 June 1988 in [[Ashwi KD]], [[Sangamner taluka|Sangamner Taluka]], [[Ahmednagar district]] to Madhukar Baburao Rahane and Sujata Rahane.<ref name="cricbuzz">{{cite web|title=A childhood dream finally realised|date=29 March 2013 |url=http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/54846/a-childhood-dream-finally-realised|publisher=Cricibuzz|access-date=25 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-06-05|title=Indian Cricket Team Players Caste and Religion List (A to Z)|url=https://tamilfunda.com/indian-cricket-players-caste-religion-list/|access-date=2021-02-14|website=TᗩᗰIᒪᖴᑌᑎᗪᗩ|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="dombivali">{{cite news |last1=Pradhan |first1=Sandip |title='अजिंक्य डोंबिवलीकर' होऊन रहाणे! |url=https://www.lokmat.com/manthan/ajinkya-dombivalikar-rahane-a296/ |access-date=7 January 2021 |work=[[Lokmat]] |date=3 January 2021 |language=mr-IN}}</ref> His ancestral village is Chandanapuri in Sangamner taluka of Ahmednagar district<ref>{{Cite web |last=माझा |first=नितीन ओझा, एबीपी |date=2021-01-19 |title=मराठमोळ्या अंजिक्य राहणेचं मूळगाव चंदनापुरीतही ऑस्ट्रेलियाच्या गर्वहरणाचं सेलिब्रेशन |url=https://marathi.abplive.com/sports/cricket/ajinkya-rahane-chandanapuri-village-celebration-india-victory-over-australia-gabba-brisbane-853886 |access-date=2026-03-13 |website=ABP Majha |language=mr}}</ref>.He has a younger brother and sister, Shashank and Apurva Rahane.<ref name="toi">{{cite news|title=I want a Lamborghini and an Aston Martin: Ajinkya Rahane|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/interviews/I-want-a-Lamborghini-and-an-Aston-Martin-Ajinkya-Rahane/articleshow/18397618.cms|work=The Times of India|date=8 February 2013 |access-date=25 July 2014}}</ref> At the age of seven, Madhukar Rahane took Rahane to a small coaching camp with a matting [[cricket pitch|wicket]] in [[Dombivli]],<ref name="cricbuzz"/><ref>{{cite web|title=My struggle begins now: Ajinkya Rahane|date=23 August 2011|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report-my-struggle-begins-now-ajinkya-rahane-1578701|publisher=DNA India|access-date=25 July 2014}}</ref> as they could not afford proper coaching.<ref name="cricbuzz"/> From the age of 17, he took coaching from former India batsman [[Pravin Amre]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ajinkya Rahane's debut ton extremely important for his career: Pravin Amre|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/220975-ajinkya-rahanes-debut-ton-extremely-important-for-his-career-pravin-amre|publisher=NDTV|access-date=25 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729143827/http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/220975-ajinkya-rahanes-debut-ton-extremely-important-for-his-career-pravin-amre|archive-date=29 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Ajinkya bats and bowls off break with his right hand but uses his left hand to write. Rahane cleared his Secondary School Certificate from SV Joshi High School, [[Dombivli]].<ref name="dombivali"/>

Rahane married Radhika Dhopavkar, his childhood friend, on 26 September 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crictracker.com/indian-cricketer-ajinkya-rahane-bowled-over-gets-married-to-radhika/|title=Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane ties the knot|access-date=26 September 2014|work=crictracker|date=26 September 2014}}</ref> The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Aarya, on 4 October 2019. Their second child, boy Raghav, was born on 5 October 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/ajinkya-rahane-becomes-father-baby-girl-wife-radhika-india-vs-south-africa-vizag-test-1606443-2019-10-05|title=Ajinkya Rahane becomes father, wife Radhika gives birth to a baby girl|work=indiatoday|date=24 September 2019 |access-date=5 October 2019}}</ref>

== Domestic career ==
Rahane had performed well when [[India national under-19 cricket team|India U-19]] toured New Zealand in early 2007, with two [[century (cricket)|centuries]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-under-19s-tour-of-new-zealand-2006-07-277221/new-zealand-under-19s-vs-india-under-19s-3rd-youth-odi-277229/match-report|title=Rahane and Srivastava help India clinch series|work=espncricinfo|access-date=12 February 2007}}</ref> He was picked for the [[Nissar Trophy|Mohammad Nissar Trophy]] in Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/karachi-urban-mumbai-to-contest-nissar-trophy-307349|title=Karachi Urban, Mumbai to contest Nissar Trophy|access-date= 28 March 2018|work=espncricinfo}}</ref>

=== First-class career ===
Rahane made his first-class debut, at the age of 19, for Mumbai against [[List of Karachi first-class cricket teams|Karachi Urban]] in the [[Nissar Trophy|Mohammad Nissar Trophy]] in September 2007, at Karachi, when most of the first-choice Mumbai players were unavailable for various reasons. Opening the innings with [[Sahil Kukreja]], he scored a century on debut 143 (207), with Kukreja scoring 110 for a total of 247.<ref>{{cite web |title= Mohammed Nissar Trophy:Karachi Urban v Mumbai at Darwin, 8–11 September 2007|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/309556.html|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date= 2012-06-09}}</ref> Rahane was subsequently picked for the [[Irani Cup|Irani Trophy]] match against [[Rest of India cricket team|Rest of India.]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/irani-trophy-2007-08-306280/mumbai-vs-rest-of-india-306380/full-scorecard|title=Irani trophy 2007/08: Mumbai v Rest of India; Full scorecard|work=espncricinfo}}</ref>

Rahane scored 172 against [[England Lions (cricket team)|England Lions]] for [[West Zone cricket team|West Zone]] in the 2007–08 [[Duleep Trophy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/duleep-trophy-2007-08-306278/england-lions-vs-west-zone-group-b-306400/full-scorecard|title=Duleep Trophy 2007/08: England Lions v West zone- Full scorecard|work=espncricinfo}}</ref>

Rahane, with 1089 runs in his second Ranji season (2008–09),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ranjisuperleague2008/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=4478;type=tournament|title=Ranji super league 2008: Most runs|work=espncricinfo}}</ref> was a crucial factor in Mumbai's 38th title win.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/ranji-trophy-super-league-2008-09-361120/mumbai-vs-uttar-pradesh-final-368289/full-scorecard|title= Ranji trophy super league 2008/09 final : Mumbai vs Uttar Pradesh, Full scorecard|work=espncricinfo}}</ref> His score of 265 not-out (batting at no. 3 for Mumbai) came against Hyderabad at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal in the 2009–10 season and also tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/indiandomestic2009/engine/match/412764.html|title=Group A: Hyderabad (India) v Mumbai at Hyderabad (Deccan), Dec 1-4, 2009 - Cricket Scorecard - ESPNcricinfo|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> Rahane surpassed 1000 runs in three separate seasons, and scoring 152 in the 2011 [[Irani Cup|Irani Trophy]] match against Rajasthan helped him get selected for India's Test squad.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/irani-cup-2011-12-522930/rajasthan-vs-rest-of-india-523025/full-scorecard|title=Irani trophy 2011/12: Rajasthan vs Rest of India, Full scorecard|work=espncricinfo}}</ref>

In April 2019, Rahane joined [[Hampshire County Cricket Club|Hampshire]] as their overseas player for two months of the season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/48054322|title=Ajinkya Rahane: India batsman to join Hampshire as overseas player|date=2019-04-25|access-date=2019-07-08|language=en-GB}}</ref>

===List A career===
Rahane made his [[List A cricket|List A]] debut for Mumbai against Delhi for the [[Vijay Hazare Trophy]] in March 2007. He contributed 61 runs to a 171-run partnership with former Indian opener [[Wasim Jaffer]].<ref>{{cite web |title= Ranji Oneday Trophy:2nd Quarter Final :Delhi v Mumbai at Delhi, 18 March 2007 |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/281390.html|access-date= 2012-06-09}}</ref>

Rahane progressed through the Mumbai ranks and had also been a part of the [[India national under-19 cricket team|Indian U-19 team]] and the [[India A cricket team|India A]]. Rahane had also turned out for India Blue and India Green in the [[NKP Salve Challenger Trophy]].

In September 2018, Rahane was named as the captain of [[Mumbai cricket team|Mumbai]] for the [[2018–19 Vijay Hazare Trophy]] tournament.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rahane to captain Mumbai in Vijay Hazare Trophy |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/rahane-to-captain-mumbai-in-vijay-hazare-trophy-1159312 |access-date=12 September 2018 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> In October 2018, he was named as the captain of India C's squad for the [[2018–19 Deodhar Trophy]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Rahane, Ashwin and Karthik to play Deodhar Trophy |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ajinkya-rahane-r-ashwin-and-dinesh-karthik-to-play-deodhar-trophy-1162570 |access-date=19 October 2018 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> He led the team to the final and played a crucial knock of 144[[Not out|*]] in the final to win the title.

In the 2023-24 season, Rahane led Mumbai team for Ranaji Trophy to victory. In the finals, Mumbai defeated Vidarbha by 169 runs. He scored 7 and 73 in this match. His personal form remained poor in this tournament. 

==International career==

===Test career===
Rahane was selected in the [[Test cricket|Test]] squad to play against [[West Indies cricket team|West Indies]] in November 2011. Rahane was taken in the squad for 16 months and in his presence, he saw seven players make their debuts.<ref name="sports.ndtv.com">{{Cite web|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/india-vs-australia-2013/news/205250-long-wait-for-mumbai-and-ajinkya-rahane-finally-ends|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715064853/http://sports.ndtv.com/india-vs-australia-2013/news/205250-long-wait-for-mumbai-and-ajinkya-rahane-finally-ends |url-status=dead |title="Long wait for Mumbai and Ajinkya Rahane finally ends". NDTV 22 March 2013 [|archive-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> His performance in the limited-overs cricket (ODI and T20I) during that period was not up to the mark, as he averaged around 25 in both ODI and T20I cricket, and struggled for form in the series against Pakistan and England (in January 2013).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricket.com.au/teams/india-mens/the-squad/ajinkya-rahane|title=Cricket Australia Player Profile – Ajinkya Rahane|access-date=1 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714125722/http://www.cricket.com.au/teams/india-mens/the-squad/ajinkya-rahane|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Rahane made his Test debut on 22 March 2013 against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at [[Feroz Shah Kotla|Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium]], Delhi.Rahane was handed his India Test cap which brought an end to a lean patch for Mumbai, who had not produced a Test player for India since May 2007.<ref name="sports.ndtv.com"/> Two single-digit scores in the game prompted many to question Rahane's ability to handle pressure and replicate his domestic success at international level.<ref name="Forbes India">{{cite web|url=http://forbesindia.com/article/2014-celebrity-100/ajinkya-rahanes-steady-road-to-stardom/39207/0|title=Forbes India Magazine - Ajinkya Rahane's steady road to stardom|access-date=30 January 2017|archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917013754/http://forbesindia.com/article/2014-celebrity-100/ajinkya-rahanes-steady-road-to-stardom/39207/0|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Despite his failure in the debut match, Rahane was included in the playing eleven for the first match of India's tour of South Africa (2013–14).  Batting in the lower-middle order, he made 209 runs at an average of 69.66 in the series (including a 96 off 157 balls at [[Kingsmead Cricket Ground|Kingsmead]], [[Durban]]) against the bowling attack comprising [[Dale Steyn]], [[Morné Morkel|Morne Morkel]] and [[Vernon Philander]]. "For a man who had spent many a tour and series warming up the bench, carrying drinks, wondering when his opportunity will come, he has taken his chance with both hands, even though it arrived in the most difficult of conditions to bat in", cricket pundit Sidharth Monga wrote. Rahane finished as India's third-highest run-getter in the series, but he was in the most precarious position of all before the series began.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ajinkya Rahane showcases his No. 6 mettle - Cricket - ESPNcricinfo |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ajinkya-rahane-showcases-his-no-6-mettle-705621 |work=ESPNcricinfo|date=30 December 2013 }}</ref>

Rahane made his first Test ton at [[Basin Reserve]], [[Wellington]], New Zealand, on 15 February 2014 against New Zealand.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ajinkya-rahane-s-ton-and-india-s-lower-order-success-719273|title=Rahane's ton and India's lower-order success|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> India were in a difficult position when Rahane came to the crease at 156 for five and by the time he departed with 118 India were in a match-winning position ruined by [[Brendon McCullum]]'s famous triple-century.<ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/england/10975016/England-v-India-Ajinkya-Rahane-succeeds-where-the-great-Sachin-Tendulkar-failed-with-Lords-Test-century.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/england/10975016/England-v-India-Ajinkya-Rahane-succeeds-where-the-great-Sachin-Tendulkar-failed-with-Lords-Test-century.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=England v India: Ajinkya Rahane succeeds where the great Sachin Tendulkar failed with Lord's Test century|website=www.telegraph.co.uk|date=17 July 2014 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> "He had a mountain of first-class runs backing him, of course, but did he have what goes around by the queer name of X-factor? Did he have that extra edge in his game and personality that separates top-class international players from the rest? Was he merely humble, or was he unable to assert himself, unable to absorb real pressure? After his first two Test tours to South Africa and New Zealand, we can safely conclude it must be the former. Underneath that seemingly soft exterior lurks a solid Test batsman, and he was on display at the Basin Reserve", ESPNcricinfo wrote in their analysis.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ajinkya Rahane shows his X-factor - Cricket - ESPNcricinfo |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ajinkya-rahane-shows-his-x-factor-719329 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

Rahane played in the [[Indian cricket team in England in 2014|Investec Test Series (India tour of England, 2014)]] in England. His previous overseas performances (in away Tests, Rahane averaged 61.83 having scored 299 in four Tests including a century and two fifties) earned him a place in the playing eleven over [[Rohit Sharma]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/> He justified his selection by making his second century at the second Test match at [[Lord's|Lord's Cricket Ground]]. Put in to bat on a green-top wicket by [[Alastair Cook]], India collapsed to 140 for six by tea, only to be rescued by Rahane's century. He was supported by [[Bhuvneshwar Kumar]], who scored a valuable 36, besides putting on 90 runs for the eighth wicket.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/india-vs-england-was-nervous-before-first-test-at-lord-ajinkya-rahane-200801-2014-07-18|title=Was nervous before first Test at the Lord's: Ajinkya Rahane|date=18 July 2014|website=India Today}}</ref> In the process, Rahane became the fourth Indian batsman to post a Test century on his first appearance at Lord's, joining [[Sourav Ganguly]], [[Dilip Vengsarkar]] and [[Ajit Agarkar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/england-vs-india-2014/news/227571-india-in-england-disappointed-with-my-dismissal-says-ajinkya-rahane|title=Ajinkya Rahane Rues Missed Chance, Says Dismissal Was Disappointing|work=ndtv.com|access-date=31 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801130725/http://sports.ndtv.com/england-vs-india-2014/news/227571-india-in-england-disappointed-with-my-dismissal-says-ajinkya-rahane|archive-date=1 August 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2014/match-reports/81252/ali-spins-england-to-equaliser|title=Ali spins England to equaliser|work=icc-cricket.com|access-date=31 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808033547/http://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2014/match-reports/81252/ali-spins-england-to-equaliser|archive-date=8 August 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Rahane played in the [[Indian cricket team in Australia in 2014–15|2014–15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy]] in Australia. In the third Test match at [[Melbourne]], Rahane made his third Test hundred. He made 399 runs in four, including a century and two half-centuries against the opposition attack of [[Mitchell Johnson (cricketer)|Mitchell Johnson]] and [[Ryan Harris (cricketer)|Ryan Harris]], the core of a bowling unit that famously won [[2013–14 Ashes series]] 5–0.

In the first Test of [[Indian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2015|2015 tour of Sri Lanka]], Rahane broke the world record for most catches in a Test match with eight.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jeswant |first1=Bishen |date=14 August 2015 |title=Rahane takes world record eight catches |work=ESPNcricinfo |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/rahane-takes-world-record-eight-catches-909495 |access-date=25 August 2015}}</ref> In the second Test at [[Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium|PSS]], [[Colombo]], he scored his fourth Test hundred, scoring 126 in India's second innings, and India went on to win the match. In the process, he reached his career-best ranking of 20th, at the [[ICC Player Rankings]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Rahane, Mishra climb to career best 20th and 39th spots in rankings|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/rahane-mishra-climb-to-career-best-20th-and-39th-spots-in-rankings/article7578513.ece?homepage=true|access-date=25 August 2015|work=The Hindu|date=25 August 2015}}</ref>

Rahane played in the 2015 Freedom Series. In the 4th test match at New Delhi, Rahane made centuries in both the innings on a pitch where most batsmen found it difficult to score, and with this feat, he became only the fifth Indian to join the elite club of twin centurions in a single test.

On 16 August 2016, Rahane achieved his career best [[ICC Player Rankings#Top 10 Test Batsmen|test batsmen's ranking]] of No. 8.

On 25 March 2017, Rahane became India's 33rd Test Captain when he led the team in the 4th test against Australia in Dharamsala due to an injury to [[Virat Kohli]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brettig |first1=Daniel |date=25 March 2017 |title=Kuldeep four-for limits Australia to 300 |work=ESPNcricinfo |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/ind-v-aus-2016-17-1030197/india-vs-australia-4th-test-1062576/match-report-1 |access-date=25 March 2017}}</ref> He scored 46 runs in his first innings and quick 37 Runs in 2nd innings as India's Test captain. He scored a century in Sri Lanka in August 2017. In the return series at home, he failed miserably scoring only 17 in 5 innings. Despite an overseas average of 55, he was not included in the playing 11 for the 1st and 2nd Test against South Africa in 2018. After the failures of Rohit Sharma in both tests, the Indian vice-captain was brought back into the playing eleven for the 3rd test where his innings of 48 in the 2nd innings on a dangerous batting pitch proved very crucial in setting up an Indian victory. He led the Indian Team in the test match against [[Afghanistan national cricket team]] in the absence of [[Virat Kohli]] in 2018. In the India's tour of England, Rahane scored two half centuries, a match winning 81 in the third test and 51 in the fourth test. In the following India's tour of Australia, Rahane scored two half centuries; a match-winning 70 in the Adelaide test and a 51 in the Perth test. Overall, he finished the series with 217 runs.{{citation needed|date=November 2025}}

In 2019 two Match series in West Indies, he scored a century in the First Test to guide India to victory.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-26 |title=India vs West Indies: Ajinkya Rahane ends his two-year century drought in Antigua |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/ajinkya-rahane-century-india-vs-west-indies-twitter-5936215/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> In the home series against [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]], he scored a brisk fifty in second Test in Pune sharing a crucial century partnership with skipper [[Virat Kohli]]. In the third Test, he scored a match winning 115 with a 267 run partnership with [[Rohit Sharma]] who scored his first double century in Tests rescuing the team from 39 for 3.

On 15 November 2019, in the first innings of the first test match against [[Bangladesh national cricket team|Bangladesh]], Rahane hit 86 off 172 deliveries, crossing the boundary 9 times. This became his 21st test fifty in international cricket.

He was selected in the Test eleven for a 2 match series against New Zealand in February 2020, but like the rest of the team, his batting performance was not up to the mark.

In December 2020 he was made captain of the Indian team<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://yorkerworld.com/ajinkya-rahane-tracing-his-captaincy-journey/|title=Ajinkya Rahane: Tracing his Captaincy Journey|first=Parag|last=Zode|date=27 November 2020|access-date=10 December 2020|archive-date=17 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217122242/https://yorkerworld.com/ajinkya-rahane-tracing-his-captaincy-journey/|url-status=usurped}}</ref> for the final three matches of India's [[Indian cricket team in Australia in 2020-21|tour of Australia]] in place of Virat Kohli, who was taking paternity leave.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://yorkerworld.com/virat-kohlis-paternity-leave-right-or-wrong/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203034512/https://yorkerworld.com/virat-kohlis-paternity-leave-right-or-wrong/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=3 December 2020|title=Virat Kohli's Paternity Leave: Right or Wrong?|date=3 December 2020}}</ref> In the second test, Rahane scored 112 in the first innings and 27* in the second innings and guided India to a 8 wicket victory and was awarded man of the match.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-29|title=What is Mullagh Medal which was won by Ajinkya Rahane after Boxing Day win vs Australia?|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/cricket/report-ajinkya-rahane-wins-mullagh-medal-after-man-of-the-match-performance-for-indian-cricket-team-in-boxing-day-test-versus-australia-in-melbourne-cricket-ground-2864790|access-date=2021-01-19|website=DNA India|language=en}}</ref> After drawing the third test at [[Sydney Cricket Ground|Sydney]], India went on to win the fourth test in Brisbane and handed Australia their first Test defeat at [[The Gabba]] in 32 years with Rahane contributing to the winning cause with a quick fire 24 runs off 22 balls in the second innings and India winning the series 2–1.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of Australia vs India 4th Test 2020 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-in-australia-2020-21-1223867/australia-vs-india-4th-test-1223872/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-01-19|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref> He finished the series as the third highest run getter with 268 runs at an average of 38.28.<ref>{{Cite web|title=India vs Australia: Top run-getters - Labuschagne tops batting charts, Rahane stands third|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/india-tour-of-australia/india-vs-australia-test-matches-records-batting-most-runs-border-gavaskar-trophy-labuschagne-smith-rahane-gill-green-top-run-getters/article33606704.ece|access-date=2021-01-19|website=Sportstar|date=19 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref> He received high praise from the critics and pundits for his captaincy and leading India to one of their greatest Test series win despite losing out on many of the first team players due to injury and bouncing back strongly after the first Test defeat.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-19|title='Ajinkya Rahane did a great job': Ravi Shastri after India's historic win|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/videos/sports/ajinkya-rahane-did-a-great-job-ravi-shastri-after-india-s-historic-win-101611063611784.html|access-date=2021-01-19|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|archive-date=20 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120110729/https://www.hindustantimes.com/videos/sports/ajinkya-rahane-did-a-great-job-ravi-shastri-after-india-s-historic-win-101611063611784.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=19 January 2021|title=Ajinkya Rahane: I looked good because everyone contributed: Ajinkya Rahane on captaincy stint|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-australia/i-looked-good-because-everyone-contributed-ajinkya-rahane-on-captaincy-stint/articleshow/80348408.cms|access-date=2021-01-19|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-19|title=Young India has done it, says Gavaskar and calls series win a magical moment|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/young-india-has-done-it-says-gavaskar-and-calls-series-win-a-magical-moment-940839.html|access-date=2021-01-19|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=They stopped Australia from playing the way they do: Inzamam-ul-Haq all praise for Ajinkya Rahane & Co.|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/article/they-stopped-australia-from-playing-the-way-they-do-inzamam-ul-haq-all-praise-for-ajinkya-rahane-co/709025|access-date=2021-01-19|website=www.timesnownews.com|date=19 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=India vs Australia: Ajinkya Rahane draws praise from Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman for his leadership |url=https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/sports-news/india-vs-australia-ajinkya-rahane-draws-praise-from-virender-sehwag-vvs-laxman-for-his-leadership-9148111.html|access-date=2021-01-19|website=Firstpost|date=26 December 2020 }}</ref>

Rahane was appointed as the captain of the Indian team for the first Test against [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]] in November 2021, as Kohli had been rested. Rahane has captained in 6 Tests, out of which 4 won and 2 drawn. In the second test against New Zealand, he was dropped from India playing 11 due to a hamstring injury.<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 November 2021|title=Rohit, Pant, Bumrah and Shami to sit out Test series against New Zealand|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ind-vs-nz-2021-22-rohit-sharma-rishabh-pant-jasprit-bumrah-and-mohammed-shami-to-sit-out-new-zealand-test-series-1288926|url-status=live|access-date=16 November 2021|work=ESPNcricinfo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112073120/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ind-vs-nz-2021-22-rohit-sharma-rishabh-pant-jasprit-bumrah-and-mohammed-shami-to-sit-out-new-zealand-test-series-1288926 |archive-date=12 November 2021 }}</ref>
Despite poor form throughout 2021, he was selected in the playing 11 in the first two test matches of the South African tour. This decision received a lot of criticism, especially since Shreyas Iyer was sidelined and had scored a hundred on debut. Many critics urged to drop him after his golden duck in the 2nd test. In the tour of South Africa 2021–22, Rahane finished the series with 136 runs and only one half-century. Despite a decent performance in Ranji Trophy 2022, he was not selected for a 2-match home series against Sri Lanka, and he was made to sit on the benches 5 times overall in his Test career.

=== One-Day International career ===

Two back to back centuries in the Emerging Players Tournament in Australia (201) helped Rahane secure a place in the India limited-overs squad for the tour of England. He made his debut against England at [[Chester-le-Street]] as a replacement for opener [[Virender Sehwag]]. Although Rahane made 40 runs at strike-rate of 90.90, India's hopes of their first victory of the 2011 summer against England were thwarted by a washout at Chester-le-Street.<ref name="wisdenindia.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.wisdenindia.com/player/India/Ajinkya-Rahane/3393.html|title=Ajinkya Rahane - India - Cricket Stats and Records - Wisden India|work=wisdenindia.com|access-date=3 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140405213828/http://www.wisdenindia.com/player/India/Ajinkya-Rahane/3393.html|archive-date=5 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

He did well in his maiden international series (2011 NatWest Series), against England in England, and in the return series. He made a 47 ball 54 on his second match of the latter tour.<ref name="ibnlive.in.com">{{Cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cricketnext/ive-learned-to-adapt-improvise-ajinkya-rahane/366499-78.html|title=I've learned to adapt, improvise: Rahane - IBNLive|work=IBNLive |date=15 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715211809/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cricketnext/ive-learned-to-adapt-improvise-ajinkya-rahane/366499-78.html|archive-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> Rahane failed to impress in his next few limited over matches against West Indies, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and England.

Rahane made his second ODI fifty in 2013-14 Asia Cup, only to be followed by another slump.<ref>{{cite web |title=Injured Rohit to miss rest of England series |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/injured-rohit-sharma-to-miss-rest-of-england-series-775239 |work=ESPNcricinfo|date=29 August 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ajinkya Rahane hundred caps crushing win - Cricket - ESPNcricinfo |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-england-2014-667693/england-vs-india-4th-odi-667727/match-report |work=ESPNcricinfo|date=2 September 2014 }}</ref> In a short ODI career in the middle order, Rahane has seemed unsure and struggled at times to find the balance between defence and attack. He showed signs of comfort at the top of the order with rapid centuries against England (September 2014) and Sri Lanka (November 2014), but [[Rohit Sharma]]'s second ODI double-century followed by a big hundred against Australia at the MCG pushed Rahane back to the middle order.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/content/story/837501.html|title=Flexible Rahane switches to attack mode|access-date=30 January 2017}}</ref> In the ICC Cricket World Cup followed, Rahane only managed to score 208 runs from 8 matches, with an average of 34.66. He was dropped by [[MS Dhoni|Mahendra Singh Dhoni]] in the second ODI against [[Bangladesh]] but after the series, he was appointed as captain of India for its tour of Zimbabwe for ODIs and T20Is in 2015 when a second string squad was selected.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/india-vs-bangladesh-ms-dhoni-explains-ajinkya-rahane-omission-second-odi-636740|title=India vs Bangladesh: MS Dhoni Explains Ajinkya Rahane's Omission From Second ODI|first=Ashim|last=Sunam|website=[[International Business Times]] |date=23 June 2015|access-date=30 January 2017}}</ref> India won that ODI series 3–0, although Rahane was not able to leave any big impacts with the bat, he made a total of 112 in three matches with only one half-century in it.
<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/277916.html?class=2;template=results;type=batting;view=series |title=Batting records - One-Day Internationals |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=30 January 2017}}</ref>

===T20I career===
Rahane made his international debut for India in a [[Twenty20 International]] against England at [[Old Trafford Cricket Ground]], [[Manchester]] in August 2011. He scored a half-century on this match (61 of 39) against an England attack comprising [[Stuart Broad]], [[Graeme Swann]] and [[Tim Bresnan]]. The match was the only T20I played by former Indian captain [[Rahul Dravid]].

Rahane was part of Indian team make it to the final of [[2014 ICC World Twenty20|2014 World T20]]. After sitting on the bench for the first three matches he got a chance to play against Australia where he scored 19 runs. He gave India a good start in the semi-final scoring 32 runs as India went on to win the Match. He also captained India in the two [[Twenty20 International]] against [[Zimbabwe Cricket|Zimbabwe]], winning the first and losing the second match. He scored 33 and 4 runs in those matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/zimbabwe-vs-india-2015/news/245799-india-stand-in-captain-ajinkya-rahane-credits-zimbabwe-for-squaring-t20-series|title=India Stand-in Captain Ajinkya Rahane Credits Zimbabwe for Squaring T20 Series|access-date=30 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529080941/http://sports.ndtv.com/zimbabwe-vs-india-2015/news/245799-india-stand-in-captain-ajinkya-rahane-credits-zimbabwe-for-squaring-t20-series|archive-date=29 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==List of international centuries==
Rahane has scored 12 [[century (cricket)|centuries]] in Test matches and three in ODIs. His highest Test score of 188 came against New Zealand at [[Holkar Stadium|Indore]] in October 2016. His highest ODI score of 111 came against Sri Lanka at [[Barabati Stadium|Cuttack]] in November  2011. He has not scored a Twenty20 International century.

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of Test centuries<ref>{{cite web|title=Ajinkya Rahane Test centuries|url=http://www.howstat.com/cricket/statistics/Players/PlayerNotables.asp?PlayerID=3889&s=2|publisher=HowSTAT!|access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>
|-
!No.
!Score
!Against
!Pos.
!Inn.
!Test
!Venue
!H/A/N
!Date
!Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Ref
|-
|| 1
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1200}} 118
|| {{cr|NZL}} || 7 || 2 || 2/2 ||  [[Basin Reserve]], [[Wellington]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|2014|February|14}} || Drawn || <ref>{{cite web|title=India in New Zealand Test Series – 2nd Test |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/667653.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=21 February 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220071754/http://www.espncricinfo.com/new-zealand-v-india-2014/engine/match/667653.html |archive-date=20 February 2014 }}</ref>
|-
|| 2
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1200}} 103
|| {{cr|ENG}} || 5 || 1 || 2/5 ||  [[Lord's]], London || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|2014|07|17}} || Won || <ref>{{cite web|title=2nd Test: England v India at London, July 17–21, 2014|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-england-2014-667693/england-vs-india-2nd-investec-test-667713/full-scorecard|access-date=12 November 2015}}</ref>
|-
|| 3
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1200}} 147
|| {{cr|AUS}} || 5 || 2 || 3/4 ||  [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]], [[Melbourne]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|2014|December|26}} || Drawn || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/754741.html |title=3rd Test: Australia v India at Melbourne, Dec 26–30, 2014 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=5 June 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119002204/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/754741.html |archive-date=19 November 2016 }}</ref>
|-
|| 4
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1200}} 126
|| {{cr|SL}} || 3 || 3 || 2/3 ||  [[Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium|P Sara Oval]], [[Colombo]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|2015|August|20}} || Won || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-sri-lanka-2015-895057/sri-lanka-vs-india-2nd-test-895775/full-scorecard |title=2nd Test: Sri Lanka v India at Colombo, Aug 20–24, 2015 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=5 June 2017}}</ref>
|-
| 5
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1200}} 127 
|| {{cr|SA}} || 5 || 1 ||rowspan="2" | 2/3 ||rowspan="2"|  [[Arun Jaitley Stadium]], [[New Delhi]] ||rowspan="2"| Home || rowspan="2"|{{dts|format=dmy|2015|12|03}} ||rowspan="2"| Won ||rowspan="2"|<ref>{{cite web|title=4th Test, Dec 03 - 07 2017, South Africa tour of India|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/south-africa-tour-of-india-2015-16-903573/india-vs-south-africa-4th-test-903609/full-scorecard|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=13 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
|| 6
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1200}} 100* 
|| {{cr|SA}} || 6 || 3 
|-
|| 7
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1200}} 108* 
|| {{cr|WIN}} || 5 || 2 || 2/4 ||  [[Sabina Park]], [[Kingston, Jamaica|Kingston]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|2016|07|30}} || Drawn ||<ref>{{cite web|title=2nd Test, India tour of West Indies at Kingston, July 30 - Aug 03 2016|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-wi-2016-1018687/west-indies-vs-india-2nd-test-1022595/full-scorecard|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>
|-
|| 8
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1200}} 188 
|| {{cr|NZL}} || 5 || 1 || 3/3 ||  [[Holkar Stadium]], [[Indore]] || Home ||{{dts|format=dmy|2016|October|8}} || Won || <ref>{{cite web|title=New Zealand tour of India, 3rd Test: India v New Zealand at Indore, Oct 8–12, 2016 |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1030217.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=9 October 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110172731/http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/10716/scorecard/1030217/India-vs-New-Zealand-3rd-Test-nz-tour-of-india-2016-17/|archive-date=10 November 2017 }}</ref>
|-
|| 9
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1200}} 132 
|| {{cr|SL}} || 5 || 1 || 2/3 ||  [[Sinhalese Sports Club Ground|Sinhalese SCG]], [[Colombo]] || Away || {{dts|2017|August|3|format=dmy}} || Won || <ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test 2017 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sl-v-ind-2017-1109590/sri-lanka-vs-india-2nd-test-1109603/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-01-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|| 10
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1200}} 102 
|| {{cr|WIN}} || 5 || 3 || 1/2 ||  [[Sir Vivian Richards Stadium]], [[Antigua]] || Away ||{{dts|format=dmy|2019|09|22}} || Won ||<ref>{{cite web|title=1st Test, India tour of West Indies at North Sound, Aug 22 - 25 2019|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-world-test-championship-2019-2021-1195334/west-indies-vs-india-1st-test-1188628/full-scorecard|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>
|-
|| 11
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1200}} 115
|| {{cr|SA}} || 5 || 1 || 3/3 ||  [[JSCA International Stadium Complex|JCSA Stadium]], [[Ranchi]] || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|2019|October|19}} || Won || <ref>{{cite web |title=3rd Test, ICC World Test Championship at Ranchi, Oct 19-23 2019 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1187009.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=20 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019154508/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/19430/scorecard/1187009/india-vs-south-africa-3rd-test-icc-world-test-championship-2019-2021 |archive-date=19 October 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|| 12
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1200}} 112 
|| {{cr|AUS}} || 4 || 2 || 2/4 ||  [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]], [[Melbourne]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|2020|12|26}} || Won ||<ref>{{cite web|title=2nd Test, Melbourne, December 26 - 29, 2020, India tour of Australia|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-in-australia-2020-21-1223867/australia-vs-india-2nd-test-1223870/full-scorecard|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of ODI centuries<ref>{{cite web|title=Ajinkya Rahane ODI centuries|url=http://www.howstat.com/cricket/statistics/Players/PlayerNotables_ODI.asp?PlayerID=3889&s=2|publisher=HowSTAT!|access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>
|-
!No.
!Score
!Against
!Pos.
!Inn.
!SR
!Venue
!H/A/N
!Date
!Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Ref
|-
| 1
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1280}} 106 
|| {{Cr|ENG}} || 1 || 2 || 106.00 ||  [[Edgbaston Cricket Ground|Edgbaston]], [[Birmingham]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|2014|September|2}} || Won || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-england-2014-667693/england-vs-india-4th-odi-667727/full-scorecard|title= 4th ODI, Birmingham, September 02, 2014, India tour of England|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=3 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
|| 2
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1130}} 111 
|| {{cr|SL}} || 1 || 1 || 102.78 ||  [[Barabati Stadium]], [[Cuttack]] || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|2014|November|2}} || Won || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/11541/scorecard/792289/india-vs-sri-lanka-1st-odi-sri-lanka-tour-of-india-2014-15|title=1st ODI (D/N), Sri Lanka tour of India at Cuttack, Nov 2 2014|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=3 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 3
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1130}} 103 
|| {{Cr|WIN}} || 1 || 1 || 99.04 ||  [[Queen's Park Oval]], [[Port of Spain]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|2017|June|25}} || Won || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/wi-v-ind-2017-1098203/west-indies-vs-india-2nd-odi-1098207/full-scorecard|title=2nd ODI, Port of Spain, June 25, 2017, India tour of West Indies|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=3 March 2019}}</ref>
|}

==IPL career==
[[File:RR team 2.jpg|thumb|left|Rahane with his [[Rajasthan Royals]] teammates in 2012]]
Rahane was bought by [[Rajasthan Royals]] for the [[2012 Indian Premier League]]. Previously, he was in the [[Mumbai Indians]] squad but got limited opportunities.<ref name="ibnlive.in.com"/> And then, he caught the eye of Rajasthan Royals' [[Shane Watson]], who had watched him score an 80-ball hundred in a session in the second innings of a three-day game against Australia A in 2010. Having bought him from the [[Mumbai Indians]], [[Rahul Dravid]] and Watson got Rahane to open the innings. "Opening the batting with Rahul bhai gave me a chance to express myself and showcase all that I had learned over the years," Rahane explained.<ref name="Forbes India"/>

{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; width: 40%; font-size: 90%;"
|-
!colspan="7"|'''Ajinkya Rahane in IPL (2008–15)'''
|-
|Teams||Matches||Runs||HS||Ave||SR||100
|-
| MI, RR and RPS||97||3789||105*||37.73||131.34||2
|-
|}

Rahane had a successful stint with Rajasthan Royals, playing under [[Rahul Dravid]]'s mentorship.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/ajinkya-rahane-to-employ-baseball-technique-at-t20-world-cup-184946-2014-03-14|title=Ajinkya Rahane to employ 'baseball technique' at World T20|work=intoday.in|date=14 March 2014 }}</ref> He rose to prominence in the 2012 IPL for Rajasthan Royals. He hit a match-winning 98 in his first game of IPL 2012 against [[Kings XI Punjab]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2012/engine/match/548309.html |title=4th match: Rajasthan Royals v Kings XI Punjab at Jaipur, Apr 6, 2012 |access-date=7 January 2013|publisher=ESPNcricinfo }}</ref> and followed that up with an unbeaten 103 against [[Royal Challengers Bangalore]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2012/engine/match/548324.html |title=18th match: Royal Challengers Bangalore v Rajasthan Royals at Bangalore, Apr 15, 2012 |access-date=7 January 2013|publisher=ESPNcricinfo }}</ref> His 84 off 63 balls against [[Delhi Daredevils]] was in vain though, as they lost by one run.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2012/engine/match/548345.html |title=39th match: Delhi Daredevils v Rajasthan Royals at Delhi, Apr 29, 2012 |access-date=7 January 2013|publisher=ESPNcricinfo }}</ref> In the 2012 IPL, Rahane became the first batsman to hit a century and emerged the leading run-scorer for Rajasthan Royals.<ref name="wisdenindia.com"/> He was retained by the Royals for the 2014 Premier League season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/219322-rajasthan-royals-retain-shane-watson-ajinkya-rahane-james-faulkner-stuart-binny-and-sanju-samson|title=Rajasthan Royals retain Shane Watson, Ajinkya Rahane, James Faulkner, Stuart Binny and Sanju Samson|work=ndtv.com|access-date=3 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309080728/http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/219322-rajasthan-royals-retain-shane-watson-ajinkya-rahane-james-faulkner-stuart-binny-and-sanju-samson|archive-date=9 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Over the years, Rahul Dravid has been given a lot of credit for way Rahane has matured as a player. With Dravid guiding him, Rahane has transformed from a shy, long-format specialist into a player capable of batting at any position, in any format. Former India captain [[Sunil Gavaskar]] told NDTV, "What has been impressive about Rahane's career is the way he has made those little changes that have helped him to get better in every format of the game. This batsman is a thinking batsman, who keeps thinking about how to get better and that is why he is such a vital cog in the Rajasthan Royals team and a vital cog in the Indian cricket team."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/indian-premier-league-2015/features/241006-ipl-8-the-evolution-of-ajinkya-rahane-into-a-shorter-format-menace|title=IPL 8: The Evolution of Ajinkya Rahane into a Shorter Format Menace|access-date=30 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063236/http://sports.ndtv.com/indian-premier-league-2015/features/241006-ipl-8-the-evolution-of-ajinkya-rahane-into-a-shorter-format-menace|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Rahane had played for [[Rising Pune Supergiant]] in the 2016 and 2017 seasons when [[Rajasthan Royals]] were banned from the IPL for two years. Rahane was the leading run-scorer for RPS in the 2016 season. He had led RPS in a match against the [[Delhi Daredevils]] in the 2017 season when RPS captain [[Steve Smith (cricketer)|Steve Smith]] missed out due to food poisoning.

In 2018, Rahane was brought back for Rs 4 crore by [[Rajasthan Royals]] by using a Right-to-Match card. [[Steve Smith (cricketer)|Steve Smith]] was appointed as captain of [[Rajasthan Royals]] on 24 February 2018. Following the [[2018 Australian ball-tampering scandal|ball tampering scandal against South Africa]], Steve Smith who was the captain of [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] stepped down as the Royals' captain with Rahane set to lead [[Rajasthan Royals]] in the 2018 season. Smith was then subsequently banned from playing cricket for a year.

In 2012, Rahane came in limelight when he scored a magnificent century in IPL. The following years helped him join the international matches. His performance in the 2018 season worsened and his strike rate came into talk. He is no longer included in India's ODI and T20I squads for international matches because of this reason. IPL 2019 was important for Rahane as he played some useful innings for Rajasthan; he also smashed a century against [[Delhi Capitals]] in the 2019 season and became the highest run scorer for Rajasthan Royals in that season. In November 2019, Rahane was transferred from [[Rajasthan Royals]] to [[Delhi Capitals]] ahead of the 2020 Indian Premier League. The franchise retained him for the IPL 2021 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delhicapitals.in/players|title=DC Squad|access-date=12 February 2021}}</ref> However, Rahane was barely included in any match for the 2021 season after some bad innings in the 2020 season. In February 2022, he was bought by the [[Kolkata Knight Riders]] in the [[List of 2022 Indian Premier League personnel changes|auction]] for the [[2022 Indian Premier League]] tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2022-auction-the-list-of-sold-and-unsold-players-1300689 |title=IPL 2022 auction: The list of sold and unsold players |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=13 February 2022}}</ref>

He is bought by [[Chennai Super Kings]] to play in the [[2023 Indian Premier League|IPL 2023]] season for INR. 50 Lakh in the [[List of 2023 Indian Premier League personnel changes|IPL auction]] held on 23 December 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=IPL 2023 mini-auction |url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-series/ipl-2023/auction/players/1447 |access-date=25 December 2022 |work=[[Cricbuzz]] |language=en}}</ref> In the 2023 edition of IPL, Rahane proved to be an integral part of the title winning CSK team where he came to bat at no.3, scoring at an extraordinary strike rate of 175+ in all the games. His crucial knocks proved to be match winning for CSK in the finals. This was Rahane's first IPL title.  In IPL 2025  [[Auction]], he was sold to [[Kolkata Knight Riders]] for INR 1.50 Crores. In March 2025, he was named the captain of the team.<ref>{{Cite web |title=KKR Sent Major 'Conflict' Warning Over Ajinkya Rahane's Captaincy Appointment {{!}} Cricket News |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2025/ex-kkr-star-warns-franchise-over-this-call-conflict-biggest-challenge-is-7935870 |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=NDTVSports.com |language=en}}</ref>

Ahead of IPL 2026 He was Retained by [[Kolkata Knight Riders]]

== Media image ==
He was ranked sixth in ''[[The Times of India]]''<nowiki/>'s Top 20 Most Desirable Men of Maharashtra in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Maharashtra's Most Desirable Men 2018|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/times-poll-2018/pune-times-most-desirable-men|access-date=2021-07-14|work=[[The Times of India]]|language=en}}</ref> He was ranked seventeenth in ''[[The Times of India]]''<nowiki/>'s Top 20 Most Desirable Men of Maharashtra in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Make Way For The Most Desirable Men Of Maharashtra 2020|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/marathi/movies/news/make-way-for-the-most-desirable-men-of-maharashtra/etphotostory/83193350.cms|date=2021-06-03|access-date=2021-06-04|work=[[The Times of India]]|language=en}}</ref>

==Awards==
[[File:The Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (IC), Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Shri Vijay Goel conferring the Arjuna Award on Cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, in New Delhi on September 16, 2016.jpg|thumb|right|[[Vijay Goel (politician)|Vijay Goel]] (''left'') conferring the [[Arjuna Award]] on Rahane (''center''), 2016]]
* [[CEAT (company)|CEAT]] Indian Cricketer of the Year: 2014–15<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/new-zealand-in-india-2016/top-stories/ajinkya-rahane-kumar-sangakkara-conferred-with-ceat-awards/articleshow/47419825.cms|title=Ajinkya Rahane, Kumar Sangakkara conferred with CEAT awards |website=[[The Times of India]] |date=25 May 2015 |access-date=30 January 2017}}</ref>
* MA Chidambaram Trophy for best Under-19 cricketer: 2006–07<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/awards/20071216.htm|title=Seniors honoured at BCCI awards - Rediff.com Cricket|access-date=30 January 2017}}</ref>
* [[Arjuna Award]]: 2016<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-09-17|title=Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma conferred with Arjuna Award|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/ajinkya-rahane-rohit-sharma-conferred-with-arjuna-award-3034681/|access-date=2021-09-06|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{cricinfo|id=277916}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140405213828/http://www.wisdenindia.com/player/India/Ajinkya-Rahane/3393.html Ajinkya Rahane]'s profile page on Wisden
* {{Twitter}}

{{Indian Test Cricket Captains}}
{{India ODI Cricket Captains}}
{{India T20I Cricket Captains}}
{{India Squad 2015 Cricket World Cup}}
{{India Squad 2016 Asia Cup}}
{{Kolkata Knight Riders squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rahane, Ajinkya}}
[[Category:1988 births]]
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