Ajinkya Rahane to Receive ₹70,000 Monthly Pension from BCCI After Retirement
Former India captain and middle-order mainstay Ajinkya Rahane, who announced his retirement from international cricket and all formats on July 30, 2026, is set to receive a fixed monthly pension of ₹70,000 from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The amount places him in the highest bracket of the board’s revised pension scheme for former international players, reflecting his extensive service across 85 Test matches.
Rahane shared the news of his retirement through an emotional video message on social media, captioned “Cap 278 signing off.” In the video, he reflected on a career that began with a dream of wearing the India cap and emphasised the importance of timing, both in batting and in life. “Today, I feel the timing is right for me to move on and announce my retirement from international cricket and all formats,” he said. He expressed gratitude to the BCCI, the Mumbai Cricket Association, teammates, coaches, IPL franchises, family, friends and fans, while signalling his desire to mentor the next generation of players.
Across a 12-year international career spanning 2011 to 2023, Rahane played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is. He scored 5,077 runs in Tests at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries, with a highest score of 188. In ODIs he accumulated 2,962 runs at 35.26 with three centuries, while in T20Is he managed 375 runs at a strike rate of 113.29. Overall, he finished with 8,414 international runs and 15 centuries.
Rahane built a reputation as one of India’s most reliable overseas performers. He scored eight of his 12 Test centuries away from home and produced memorable knocks in challenging SENA conditions. Notable innings included a century at Lord’s in 2014 that helped India secure their first Test win at the historic venue in 28 years, a 147 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground later that year, and a key contribution during India’s historic series triumph in Australia in 2020-21. That campaign remains the defining chapter of his career. After India were dismissed for 36 in Adelaide and regular captain Virat Kohli returned home on paternity leave, Rahane stepped in to lead a depleted side. India recovered to win the series 2-1, with Rahane scoring a century in Melbourne and guiding the team to a famous victory at the Gabba that ended Australia’s long unbeaten home streak.
As Test captain in six matches, Rahane remained unbeaten, recording four wins and two draws. He also led India in a handful of limited-overs games, suffering only one defeat across formats in his short captaincy stints. His calm leadership under pressure, particularly in Australia, cemented his place among India’s most respected figures of the modern era.
Under the BCCI’s player welfare policy, former cricketers who have played 25 or more Test matches qualify for the top pension bracket of ₹70,000 per month for life. With 85 Tests to his name, Rahane comfortably meets the criterion. The figure was revised upward in 2022 during Sourav Ganguly’s tenure as BCCI president. Previously, players in this category received ₹50,000 monthly. The hike formed part of a broader upward revision across several slabs for both men’s and women’s former players and umpires, benefiting around 900 individuals, with a large majority seeing increases of up to 100 percent.
The pension is paid from a dedicated welfare pool that draws on the Platinum Jubilee Corpus Fund and other board resources. Revenue from IPL playoff matches, including gate collections, also contributes to sustaining long-term support for retired players.
There is an important condition attached to the benefit. If Rahane accepts an official salaried role with the BCCI—such as a national coaching, mentoring or administrative position—his monthly pension payments will be suspended for the duration of that appointment. The payments resume automatically once he leaves the role. Work in media, private coaching or commentary does not affect eligibility.
Beyond the monthly pension, Rahane is entitled to medical insurance cover of up to ₹10 lakh under the joint BCCI-Indian Cricketers’ Association scheme. The cover extends to eligible family members, and additional assistance may be available through the medical benevolent fund for major treatment expenses.
As a long-serving Mumbai player and former captain of the state side, Rahane is also eligible for benefits under the Mumbai Cricket Association pension scheme. However, dual pensions from the BCCI and a state association are not permitted. Retired players must choose one, and most opt for the higher central board amount.
Rahane’s last international appearance came during India’s Test series against the West Indies in 2023. In the years that followed he continued to feature in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League, most recently captaining Kolkata Knight Riders. His decision to retire from all formats closes a chapter that began with his first-class debut for Mumbai and included stints with multiple IPL franchises.
The BCCI’s pension scheme represents one of the more structured welfare measures among cricket boards, providing a degree of financial security after the relatively short earning window of a professional career. For a player such as Rahane, who gave more than a decade of consistent service and produced some of his best work in the most demanding conditions, the monthly support acknowledges that contribution.
Rahane has indicated that his association with the game will continue in a different capacity. In his retirement message he spoke of looking forward to helping the next generation, sharing the values cricket taught him, and giving back to the sport that shaped his life. Whether that takes the form of formal coaching, mentoring, or other roles remains to be seen. For now, the fixed monthly pension of ₹70,000 offers a steady foundation as he transitions into the next phase of his cricket journey.
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