'Inspiration and Role Model for Generations': Dinesh Lad hails Ajinkya Rahane Legacy after Retirement | Exclusive

Renowned coach Dinesh Lad has hailed Ajinkya Rahane after the India stalwart called it quits from all forms of cricket on Thursday (July 30).

Former India Test captain Ajinkya Rahane on Thursday announced his retirement from international cricket and all formats of the game with immediate effect, bringing the curtain down on a career defined by resilience, quiet leadership and one of India's most memorable overseas triumphs.

The 38-year-old shared the news in an emotional video posted on Instagram, captioned "Cap 278 signing off."

"The reality of life is that everything has a beginning and everything has an end. When that time comes, you simply have to respect it and move forward. I've always relied on timing in my batting, and I've always understood its importance. Today, I feel the timing is right for me to move on and announce my retirement from international cricket and all formats," Rahane said in an emotional social media post.

MyKhel caught up with Dinesh Lad for his immediate reaction, and the coach couldn't speak highly enough of the veteran.

"Ajinkya Rahane was not just a great batter but was a great captain as well. We saw his leadership qualities in the Australia series. Virat came back, Rohit was not in that tour and Rahane led India to a series win against Australia in Australian soil, which speaks volumes about his captaincy, although he didn't captain India for long," Lad said to MyKhel in an exclusive interview.

"I have been following him, following his career since early days in Mumbai. He's a local Mumbaikar and was a very soft-spoken boy. He got a chance to play in Mumbai cricket and at the age of 14, he was playing A division cricket in Mumbai. And then made the Mumbai team and served distinctly, and he will always remain an inspiration and a role model to the generations to come," he added.

Rahane played 85 Tests, scoring 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46 with 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries. In 90 ODIs he made 2,962 runs, while in 20 T20Is he scored 375 runs. His last appearance for India came in the Test series against West Indies in July 2023.

The defining moment of his career remains leading an injury-hit Indian side to a historic 2-1 Test series victory in Australia in 2020-21, after the visitors were bowled out for 36 in the first Test in Adelaide.