Rahane Reveals What Made Dhoni A Great Captain

Ajinkya Rahane announced his retirement from international cricket on July 30, 2026, capping a brilliant career that spanned all three formats. The decision was made via a social media post, and he will immediately depart the international game.

Ajinkya made his debut in all three formats under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, establishing a connection that would last throughout his career. The two cricketers later shared a dressing room while Rahane played for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League in 2023 and 2024.

What makes Dhoni’s leadership approach distinctive?

Ajinkya comment underlined Dhoni’s blend of accessibility and definite boundaries. The former India captain’s commitment to leave his door open for teammates produced an environment in which players felt free to approach him with issues or seek advice.

However, he also set strict boundaries when seclusion was required, ensuring that his personal space was preserved when necessary.

Rahane and Ben Stokes shared a dressing room at Rising Pune Supergiant during the 2017 Indian Premier League season. Stokes was purchased by the franchise at the February 20 auction for Rs 14.5 crores, joining a roster that already included Rahane, who is in his second year with the organization.

During their time together in the IPL, Stokes gave Rahane advise on how to deal with the mental side of the game, notably the use of social media during competitive stages. Rahane reflected on this advice and how it influenced his personal habits.

Rahane scored 5077 Test runs at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries in 85 matches. In 90 ODI games, he scored 2962 runs at 35.26, including three hundreds.

He also played 20 T20 Internationals, scoring 375 runs at a strike rate of 113.29. His last international match was a Test in the West Indies in July 2023.