Ajinkya Rahane, freshly retired after a tear‑jerking farewell video, stepped onto the field of memory with an all‑time India Test XI that reads like a living museum.
In the lineup, the 38‑year‑old slotted himself at No. 5, flanked by Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan at the top, and legendary Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in the middle. “It’s about honouring those who stood beside me,” Rahane said, voice thick with nostalgia.
The captaincy and wicket‑keeping mantle goes to MS Dhoni, the first skipper Rahane faced at the international level. Down the bowling arm, the XI boasts the trio of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma, the very fast trio that lifted India to overseas glory in 2018, along with all‑rounder Ravindra Jadeja and spin maestro Ravichandran Ashwin.
Yet, the list is not without its surprises: the current era’s giants Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are absent, a decision that sparked instant debate among fans and pundits. “Kohli and Rohit are great, but this XI reflects the era I played in,” Rahane clarified.
The selection, while celebrating the past, also signals Rahane’s final bow. He retired in July after a quiet 85-match career that yielded 5,077 runs at 38.46. His choice of teammates—players he shared boards and pitches with—underscores the tight-knit camaraderie of Indian cricket’s golden generation.
As the crowd applauds the retired captain’s tribute, the next chapter is already in motion: India will welcome a new squad for the upcoming home series against New Zealand, where the legacy of the past will meet the promise of the future.