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Veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from international cricket and all forms of the game, bringing an end to a distinguished career that spanned more than a decade at the highest level. The 38-year-old confirmed the decision through an emotional video message shared on social media, saying the time had come to step away from the sport that had shaped his life since childhood. Rahane represented India in all three formats between 2011 and 2023, establishing himself as one of the country’s most dependable batters. During his international career, he played 85 Test matches, 90 One-Day Internationals and 20 T20 Internationals. His final appearance for India came in a Test match against the West Indies in July 2023. The right-handed batter enjoyed considerable success in Test cricket, scoring 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries. In the ODI format, he amassed 2,962 runs with three centuries and 24 fifties, while contributing 375 runs in T20 Internationals. Although Rahane’s batting achievements earned widespread recognition, he will be remembered most for his outstanding leadership during India’s historic Test series victory in Australia in 2020-21. The series began in disastrous fashion for India, who were dismissed for just 36 runs in Adelaide, their lowest Test total. Following the opening defeat, regular captain Virat Kohli returned home on paternity leave, leaving Rahane to take charge of a team plagued by injuries and missing several senior players. Under Rahane’s calm and composed captaincy, India staged one of the greatest comebacks in Test cricket history. He led the side to a memorable victory in Melbourne to level the series, followed by a hard-fought draw in Sydney despite several players battling injuries. The tour concluded with a remarkable win at Brisbane’s Gabba, where India successfully chased 328 on the final day to secure a famous 2-1 series triumph and end Australia’s long unbeaten run at the venue. Rahane captained India in six Test matches overall, winning four and drawing the remaining two, finishing his captaincy stint unbeaten. Speaking about his decision to retire, Rahane said timing had always been an important aspect of both his batting and his career, and he believed this was the right moment to say goodbye to professional cricket. “I’ve always relied on timing in my batting, and I’ve always understood its importance. Today, I feel the timing is right for me to move on and announce my retirement from international cricket and all formats,” he said. Reflecting on his journey, Rahane expressed gratitude for fulfilling his dream of representing India and said wearing the national cap had always been his greatest motivation. He added that he always believed in putting the team ahead of personal milestones and playing the game with honesty and commitment. The veteran batter also revealed that while his playing career has come to an end, he hopes to remain connected to cricket by mentoring and guiding young players. He said he looks forward to sharing the lessons and values the sport has taught him and giving back to the game that has given him so much. Rahane concluded his farewell by thanking the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Mumbai Cricket Association, his teammates, coaches, family and fans for their unwavering support throughout his career. His final competitive appearance came for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, and his retirement leaves the franchise with the task of appointing a new captain ahead of the upcoming season.

CHITRAL: A team of Pakistani mountaineers has successfully crossed the historic Phargam An Pass in the Hindu Kush mountain range for the first time in 27 years, marking a major achievement for the country’s mountaineering community. The expedition successfully reached the 5,100-metre-high Phargam An Pass, completing a challenging journey through one of the most remote and difficult mountain routes in northern Pakistan. The expedition also made history as female climbers reached the summit for the first time, highlighting the growing participation of women in Pakistan’s adventure and mountaineering sector. The mission was organised in Upper Chitral with the support of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority. During the expedition, the team also discovered the memorial of Austrian mountaineer George Kronberger, who lost his life in the area in 1975. Despite facing dangerous glaciers, steep snow-covered slopes, rocky terrain and the constant threat of avalanches, the team completed the expedition safely. Expedition guide Zamrud Khan said the route to Phargam An Pass has changed significantly over the years due to the effects of climate change, making the journey more challenging than in the past. Three sisters from Chitral—Mehrosh Akhtar, Ismail Roz and Madhu Shala Akhtar—took part in the historic expedition, setting a new milestone for women in Pakistani mountaineering. Other members of the expedition included Kamran Khan, Samar Khan, Nauman Khan, Noorul Rahman, Zohaib Khan, Umar Khattab Sherani, Sohniya Babar, Amina Shabbir and Madiha Syed. The successful expedition is being seen as an important milestone for adventure tourism and mountaineering in Pakistan, while showcasing the country’s growing potential as a destination for high-altitude exploration.