Ajinkya Rahane’s 112 at the MCG outweighs every other innings in his career because of the stakes riding on it, not the shot-making. He retired from international cricket on July 30, 2026, after an 85-Test career built on twelve centuries, yet only one of them gets mentioned when people sum up his story. That knock came as a stand-in captain days after India were bowled out for 36 in Adelaide, and it turned a collapsing tour into a famous 2-1 series win in Australia.
The Retirement Statement That Reignited A Debate
Rahane ended his career on July 30, 2026, closing his message with a nod to his Test cap number, 278. He referenced the meaning of his own name, unbeatable, and admitted the sport had beaten him many times over two decades. The only place he said cricket never beat him was in how fans felt about his batting.
BCCI president Mithun Manhas responded by praising Rahane’s leadership during the 2020-21 tour of Australia, calling that stretch one of the defining chapters in Indian cricket. He named no specific innings in his tribute. Nobody reading it needed the name spelled out.
Ajinkya Rahane MCG century legacy
India had just been bowled out for 36 in Adelaide, their lowest Test total on record, and the squad fell apart around Rahane. Virat Kohli left for the birth of his first child, and injuries ruled out Bumrah, Ashwin and Jadeja through the series. Rahane took over as stand-in captain with the series 0-1 down and the tour close to collapse.
He walked out at the MCG and made 112. India won the Boxing Day Test, squared the series at 1-1, and eventually completed the turnaround at the Gabba, the first team to win there in 32 years. A single innings, batted under pressure few captains ever face, changed the direction of an entire tour.
Comparing The Four Landmark Test Knocks
Three other innings come up whenever Rahane’s overseas record is discussed, each earning its place in the conversation. The table below sets them against the MCG knock.
Knock | Venue | Series | Runs | Context |
Boxing Day Test, Dec 2020 | MCG, Melbourne | Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 | 112 | Stood in as captain after India’s 36 all out; rallied a depleted squad to win and help seal a 2-1 series victory. |
2nd Test, Jul 2014 | Lord’s, London | India tour of England 2014 | 103 | Rescued India from 145/7 on a green pitch; earned a spot on the Lord’s Honours Board and set up a rare overseas win. |
WTC Final, Jun 2023 | The Oval, London | World Test Championship Final | 89 & 46 | Top-scored for India in the first innings on his return after an 18-month gap from the side. |
2nd Test, Aug 2017 | SSC Ground, Colombo | India tour of Sri Lanka 2017 | 132 | Ended a 10-month wait for a century on a turning pitch; built a big first-innings total in a 3-0 series sweep. |
Every one of those knocks carries genuine weight, but none needed a depleted attack, an absent captain, and a series on the brink all at once. What sets the MCG innings apart is how many things had to go right together for it to matter this much.
The Numbers That Frame His Career
Rahane finished with 5,077 Test runs from 85 matches at an average of 38.46, a solid but unspectacular return. Between 2021 and 2022, he slipped to an average of just 20 across 15 Tests before losing his place in the side. A strong Ranji Trophy season, 634 runs at 57.6, earned him a recall for the WTC Final in 2023.
None of that stretch defines how people talk about him now. His final Test came on India’s tour of the West Indies in July 2023, two matches after the WTC Final recall. His career is built on a handful of moments that mattered more than the numbers around them.
The Verdict On His Defining Knock
Judge Rahane purely on volume and his record sits below several teammates from the same era. Judge him on weight of moment, and the MCG knock has few equals in modern Indian cricket.
That is the real Ajinkya Rahane MCG century legacy: a single innings, played as captain and batsman at once, that turned a series and outlasted every number next to his name.
Which Rahane innings would you rank above the MCG century, or does 112 in Melbourne stand alone for you?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When did Ajinkya Rahane retire from cricket?
Rahane announced his retirement from international cricket and all formats on July 30, 2026, at age 38. His retirement message read Cap 278, signing off, marking the end of an 85-Test career.
How many runs did Rahane score at the MCG in 2020?
Rahane scored 112 at the MCG in the Boxing Day Test of December 2020. He made the century as stand-in captain, and India went on to win that match and level the series 1-1.
Did India win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2020-21?
Yes, India won the 2020-21 series 2-1 in Australia. The turnaround began after India were bowled out for 36 in Adelaide, and it ended with a first win at the Gabba in 32 years.
How many Test centuries does Ajinkya Rahane have?
Rahane scored 12 Test centuries in 85 matches, finishing with 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46. He also made 3 ODI centuries in 90 appearances at an average of 35.26.
What was Ajinkya Rahane’s final Test?
Rahane’s last Test appearance for India came on the tour of the West Indies in July 2023. He was dropped in early 2022 after averaging 20 across 15 Tests, then returned for the WTC Final in 2023.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.