India, Aug. 5 -- Ajinkya Rahane's retirement brought back memories of Melbourne, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and one of Indian cricket's greatest acts of recovery. After India were dismissed for 36 in Adelaide and Virat Kohli returned home, Rahane took charge of a depleted side. His century in the second Test changed the series, while his calm leadership helped India complete a historic 2-1 triumph in Australia.

Yet the achievement remained permanently attached to the larger Kohli era. Rahane received admiration, but he never became the central figure in the story of the team he briefly led so brilliantly.

His career belonged to a familiar tradition in Indian cricket: accomplished players whose contributions were respected but frequently...