Ajinkya Rahane To Make ETPL Debut with Steve Waugh's Amsterdam Flames Following International Retirement
Ajinkya Rahane, the former India captain, has made a sensational move to the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), signing with Steve Waugh's Amsterdam Flames for the inaugural season. This announcement comes just days after his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket on July 30, 2026. Rahane, aged 38, will participate in the ETPL, which is scheduled.
In a dramatic turn of events following his retirement from all forms of international and domestic cricket on July 30, veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has confirmed his participation in the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL). The 38-year-old right-hander is set to turn out for the Amsterdam Flames, a franchise notably co-founded by former Australian captain and cricketing icon, Steve Waugh. Ajinkya Rahane Reveals MS Dhoni’s 'Unbreakable' Rule for Teammates (Watch Video).
Rahane's move comes barely a week after he announced the end of his illustrious career in India, marking a new chapter in his cricketing journey on the global franchise circuit. His decision to join the ETPL, an ICC-sanctioned tournament, allows him to continue playing competitive cricket overseas.
A New Challenge in Europe
The European T20 Premier League, a newly launched competition forged through a partnership between the cricket boards of Scotland, Ireland, and the Netherlands, is slated to commence on August 26 and run until September 20. Matches will be hosted at the Voorburg Cricket Club in The Hague, Netherlands, as well as international-standard venues in Dublin, Ireland, promising a fresh landscape for T20 cricket.
For Rahane, this presents an opportunity to bring his vast experience and calm leadership to a burgeoning cricket market. Steve Waugh, the Chief Cricket Officer of Amsterdam Flames, expressed his enthusiasm for Rahane's signing. “Ajinkya Rahane represents everything you want in a professional cricketer - skill, resilience, humility and leadership,” Waugh stated. “Throughout his career he has earned enormous respect across the cricket world, not only for his performances but for the way he has conducted himself on and off the field.”
Rahane himself shared his excitement, noting, “Cricket has given me so much, and I’ve always believed that players have a responsibility to leave the game stronger than they found it. Europe is entering an exciting phase and has the potential to become one of cricket's most promising frontiers.” Ajinkya Rahane Retires from International Cricket.
Rahane's Recent Form and Career Highlights
Before his retirement, Rahane, born on June 6, 1988, continued to be a significant player in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In IPL 2026, he captained Kolkata Knight Riders and maintained a notable presence in the team.
His international career spanned 85 Tests, 90 One Day Internationals, and 20 T20 Internationals, where he scored 5,077, 2,962, and 375 runs respectively. Rahane is particularly remembered for leading an injury-hit Indian side to a historic 2-1 Test series victory in Australia during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a defining moment in his captaincy.
Ajinkya Rahane: Career Snapshot
| Statistic | Tests | ODIs | T20Is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 85 | 90 | 20 |
| Runs Scored | 5077 | 2962 | 375 |
| Centuries | 12 | 3 | 0 |
| Fifties | 26 | 24 | 1 |
| Batting Average | 38.46 | 35.26 | 20.83 |
Fans eagerly await Rahane's debut for the Amsterdam Flames, anticipating his experience and tactical acumen to be a major asset in the newly formed European league. The exact schedule and broadcast details for individual matches are yet to be fully announced, but the league promises an exciting new chapter for T20 cricket.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 07, 2026 02:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).