India, July 30 -- Ajinkya Rahane rarely demanded attention during his playing career. Even at his best, he seemed more comfortable letting a classic drive down the ground, a hundred overseas or a sharp catch at slip speak for him. On Thursday, however, as he announced his retirement from international cricket, some of the most prominent figures in Indian cricket made sure his contribution did not pass quietly.

Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravi Shastri, Virender Sehwag and several of Rahane's former India teammates led the tributes on social media, remembering not merely the runs he scored but the composure, humility and understated toughness that defined his career.

Rahane called time on an international journey tha...