Ajinkya Rahane, former Indian Test stalwart, is now eligible for a pension from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) following his recent retirement from all forms of cricket. This benefit, long a part of the BCCI’s gratuity and pension framework, brings with it a monthly payout consistent with the scheme reserved for former Test cricketers. Here’s an in-depth look at what that means for Rahane—and what the pension entails.
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## Retirement marks eligibility
On July 30, 2026, Rahane officially announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket, effective immediately. His announcement confirmed that he will no longer participate in any form of the game moving forward.
Since he stepped away from all cricket, Rahane now meets the BCCI’s criteria to receive the monthly pension offered to retired Test players. Because he played in more than 25 Test matches for India—which is one of the key benchmarks—he is eligible under the scheme that supports former Test cricketers.
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## What the BCCI pension scheme provides
The pension scheme is calibrated based on the format played and the era during which a player’s career unfolded. Here are the relevant breakdowns for Test cricketers:
– Players who retired **before December 31, 1993** and played **more than 25 Test matches** receive **₹50,000 per month**.
– Players who retired **on or after January 1, 1994**, regardless of whether they exceed 25 Tests, are entitled to **₹22,500 per month**.
Because Rahane played over 25 Tests for India, and has now retired permanently—and his career falls in the post-1994 period—he will receive **₹22,500 each month** from BCCI.
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## Wider pension increases and context
It’s notable that on **June 1, 2022**, the BCCI implemented a significant uplift in pension payouts across categories—including retired cricketers, women players, and umpires. However, this increase applied primarily to players who were part of certain categories post-retirement, and does not override the existing structure for Test cricketers retiring after 1993. Rahane’s category is governed by the longstanding “gratis” scheme rather than the increased pension framework introduced later.
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## Recap: Rahane’s monthly pension
In summary:
– Rahane played **well above 25 Test matches** for India.
– He has officially retired from all cricket formats (international and domestic) as of **July 30, 2026**.
– His retirement date places him in the **post-1994 Test retiree** category.
– Under the BCCI’s “payment of monthly gratis” scheme, that entitles him to **₹22,500 per month**.
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## What this means
By becoming eligible for this pension, Rahane joins a group of former Indian cricketers supported under the BCCI’s system to ensure financial assistance for those who’ve served at the highest level. While ₹22,500 per month may appear modest compared to contemporary earnings in professional cricket, it offers steady support and acknowledges decades of dedication to national sport.
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