Ajinkya Rahane Joins Amsterdam Flames: A New Chapter in European Cricket
Ajinkya Rahane Takes on a New Role
In a significant move for European cricket, former Indian captain Ajinkya Rahane has been signed by the Amsterdam Flames as their marquee player for the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL), which is set to kick off on August 26.
Rahane announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket on July 30. His career includes 85 Test matches, 90 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 20 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), with his last international match played against the West Indies in July 2023.
Expressing his thoughts, Rahane stated, “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.”
He further added, “What impressed me about Amsterdam Flames is the ambition to build something meaningful that creates a lasting impact both on and off the field. I’m excited to work alongside the management to build a successful franchise while helping inspire the next generation and strengthen cricket’s future across Europe.”
Currently, Rahane is in England serving as a commentator for The Hundred. Steve Waugh, the co-founder and Chief Cricket Officer of Amsterdam Flames, welcomed Rahane to the team, praising his skills, resilience, humility, and leadership.
Waugh remarked, “Ajinkya Rahane represents everything you want in a professional cricketer. 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.”
He emphasized that Rahane’s experience and leadership will be crucial in shaping the winning culture of the Amsterdam Flames.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Rahane has played 212 matches for six different teams, scoring a total of 5,367 runs. He captained the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during the 2025 and 2026 seasons and was part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) team that won the tournament in 2023.
Abhishek Bachchan, co-owner of the ETPL, highlighted the importance of Rahane’s signing, stating, “Ajinkya Rahane joining Steve Waugh’s Amsterdam Flames is a significant moment for both the franchise and the ETPL and another important milestone in our vision to accelerate the growth of cricket across Europe.”
He added, “Players of Ajinkya’s calibre not only raise the standard of the competition but also inspire and mentor the next generation of European cricketers. We are delighted to welcome him to the ETPL family.”
Tim Thomas, CEO of Amsterdam Flames, echoed similar sentiments, calling Rahane’s recruitment a landmark event for the club. He stated, “Signing a player of Ajinkya Rahane’s calibre is a defining moment for Amsterdam Flames. This is about much more than adding an outstanding cricketer; it is about establishing the standards, culture, and ambition that will define our club for years to come.”
Thomas concluded, “Ajinkya’s professionalism, experience, and leadership perfectly align with our vision of building a franchise that competes at the highest level while making a lasting contribution to the growth of cricket across Europe.”