India, July 31 -- Senior batter Ajinkya Rahane, who famously led an injury-ravaged Indian team to an improbable Test series win over Australia during a 2020-2021 tour, announced his retirement from international cricket on Thursday, saying that the time is right for him to move on.

The 38-year-old played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is for India in a career which began in 2013. He did not turn up for the country after the 2023 away Test series against the West Indies but maintained even until this year's IPL that he would not give up on the dream of a comeback.

"The reality of life is that everything has a beginning, and everything has an end. When that time comes, you simply have to respect it and move forward. I always relied on timing...