This article covers Ajinkya Rahane’s IPL career, key stats, playing style, and major achievements in a clear and easy-to-understand format.
It highlights his journey across IPL teams, role evolution in T20 cricket, and the qualities that make him one of India’s most composed batters.
Ajinkya Rahane IPL: Player Info
- Full Name: Ajinkya Madhukar Rahane
- Date of Birth: June 06, 1988
- Age: 37 years
- Batting Style: Right-hand bat
- Playing Role: Top-order batter
Ajinkya Rahane: Background, Lifestyle & Playing Style
Early Life & Background
Ajinkya Rahane was born in Ashwi KD village, Maharashtra, and grew up in a lower-middle-class family. His father, Madhukar Rahane, supported his cricketing ambitions despite limited financial resources.
He started cricket training at a small local coaching center, practicing on matting wickets and with tennis balls. His technique was later refined under former India batter Pravin Amre, who played a key role in shaping Rahane’s solid batting foundation.
Rahane studied at SV Joshi High School, Dombivli, and later completed a B.Com degree while managing cricket alongside academics. Known for discipline from a young age, he is also a black belt in Karate, highlighting his long-standing focus on fitness and self-control.
Off-Field Life & Lifestyle
Ajinkya Rahane married Radhika Dhopavkar in 2014. The couple has two children:
- Daughter: Aarya (born 2019)
- Son: Raghav (born 2022)
He is a teetotaler, non-smoker, and practices yoga regularly. Rahane prefers a low-profile, disciplined lifestyle away from the spotlight.
- Estimated Net Worth: ₹80–90 crore
- Income Sources: BCCI contracts, IPL salaries, match fees, endorsements
Despite his financial success, Rahane is known for his simple, fitness-focused, and family-oriented way of life.
Playing Style, Strengths & Limitations
Ajinkya Rahane is a technique-first batter who relies on timing, footwork, and shot selection rather than brute power.
In Test cricket, he excels in overseas conditions by playing late and close to the body against pace and bounce. In white-ball cricket and the IPL—especially after 2023—he showed improved adaptability, accelerating when required.
Key Strengths
- Calm temperament under pressure
- Proven overseas Test performer
- Strong leadership and tactical clarity
- Ability to adjust across formats
Limitations
- Inconsistent strike rate during early IPL seasons
- Extended form slumps affected selection continuity
Ajinkya Rahane IPL Career & Leadership Impact
IPL Career Overview & Evolution
Ajinkya Rahane’s IPL journey is defined by evolution rather than instant stardom. He began his IPL career with Mumbai Indians (2008–2010) before finding consistency with Rajasthan Royals, where he established himself as a dependable top-order batter.
His breakthrough came in IPL 2012, when he emerged as Rajasthan Royals’ leading run-scorer and became the first player in IPL history to hit six fours in a single over.
Across multiple seasons with Rajasthan, Rahane provided stability at the top, even as his strike rate drew scrutiny in a format increasingly driven by power-hitting.
He later represented Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders, often trusted with leadership responsibilities and anchoring roles. While his T20 value was once debated, Rahane’s ability to adapt became evident over time.
The biggest transformation came in IPL 2023 with Chennai Super Kings, where Rahane reinvented his batting approach. He adopted controlled aggression, striking at nearly 200, and proved that adaptability could redefine a late-career phase.
In IPL 2025, he captained Kolkata Knight Riders, finishing as the team’s highest run-scorer for the season.
IPL Season-Wise Performance Highlights
- 2012 (Rajasthan Royals): Leading run-scorer; breakout IPL season
- 2016–2017 (Rising Pune Supergiant): Consistent middle-order contributions
- 2020 (Delhi Capitals): Part of the squad that finished runners-up
- 2023 (Chennai Super Kings):
- Runs: 209
- Strike Rate: 199.05
- Best: 71 off 29 balls
- 2025 (Kolkata Knight Riders):
- Runs: 390
- Team’s highest run-scorer
- Role: Captain
IPL Auctions, Transfers & Team Roles
Ajinkya Rahane’s IPL auction journey reflects his changing role in T20 cricket rather than fluctuating ability.
- 2008–2010: Mumbai Indians (early development phase)
- 2011–2015: Rajasthan Royals (established top-order batter)
- 2016–2017: Rising Pune Supergiant
- 2020–2021: Delhi Capitals (experience-driven role)
- IPL 2023 Auction: Bought by Chennai Super Kings at base price of ₹50 lakh
His CSK stint proved pivotal, redefining his perception as a T20 batter and highlighting his tactical value beyond raw numbers.
Captaincy & Leadership Legacy
Ajinkya Rahane’s leadership peak came during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. After India were bowled out for 36 in the opening Test, Rahane led an injury-hit side to a historic 2-1 Test series win in Australia.
Test Captaincy Record
- Matches: 6
- Wins: 4
- Draws: 2
- Losses: 0
Records & Major Achievements
- Led India to a historic Test series win in Australia (2020–21)
- World record: 8 catches by a non-wicketkeeper in a Test match
- Twin centuries in a Test match (vs South Africa, 2015)
- Arjuna Award (2016)
- CEAT Indian Cricketer of the Year (2014–15)
- Completed 5,000 Test runs during the 2023 WTC Final
Ajinkya Rahane IPL Career Stats Overview
Batting & Fielding
- Tests: 5,077 runs · 12 centuries · 102 catches
- ODIs: 2,962 runs · 3 centuries · 48 catches
- T20Is: 375 runs · Strike Rate 113.29 · 16 catches
- IPL: 5,032 runs · 2 centuries · 33 fifties
- First-Class: 14,209 runs · 42 centuries
Bowling
- Tests & ODIs: Rarely bowled
- Role: Part-time right-arm medium
- List A: 3 wickets · Best figures 2/36
- T20s: 1 wicket · Best figures 1/5
Ajinkya Rahane Career Summary
Batting & Fielding
| Metric | Tests | ODIs | T20Is | FC | List A | T20s |
| Matches (Mat) | 85 | 90 | 20 | 205 | 192 | 294 |
| Innings (Inns) | 144 | 87 | 20 | 346 | 187 | 277 |
| Not Outs (NO) | 12 | 3 | 2 | 30 | 15 | 27 |
| Runs | 5077 | 2962 | 375 | 14209 | 6853 | 7633 |
| High Score (HS) | 188 | 111 | 61 | 265* | 187 | 105* |
| Average (Ave) | 38.46 | 35.26 | 20.83 | 44.96 | 39.84 | 30.53 |
| Balls Faced (BF) | 10256 | 3767 | 331 | 26767 | – | 6037 |
| Strike Rate (SR) | 49.50 | 78.63 | 113.29 | 53.08 | – | 126.43 |
| 100s | 12 | 3 | 0 | 42 | 10 | 2 |
| 50s | 26 | 24 | 1 | 59 | 49 | 54 |
| 4s | 578 | 293 | 32 | 1713 | – | 766 |
| 6s | 35 | 33 | 6 | 99 | – | 196 |
| Catches (Ct) | 102 | 48 | 16 | 228 | 90 | 125 |
| Stumpings (St) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bowling
| Metric | Tests | ODIs | T20Is | FC | List A | T20s |
| Matches (Mat) | 85 | 90 | 20 | 205 | 192 | 294 |
| Innings (Inns) | – | – | – | 9 | 2 | 1 |
| Balls | – | – | – | 108 | 42 | 6 |
| Runs | – | – | – | 75 | 43 | 5 |
| Wickets (Wkts) | – | – | – | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Best Bowling Inn. (BBI) | – | – | – | – | 2/36 | 1/5 |
| Best Bowling Match (BBM) | – | – | – | – | 2/36 | 1/5 |
| Average (Ave) | – | – | – | – | 14.33 | 5.00 |
| Economy (Econ) | – | – | – | 4.16 | 6.14 | 5.00 |
| Strike Rate (SR) | – | – | – | – | 14.0 | 6.0 |
| 4w | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5w | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10w | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ajinkya Rahane FAQs
Article Recommendations:
