Ajinkya Rahane IPL

Akshita Patel∙ Updated: Jan 31 2025, 4:20 PM

Ajinkya Rahane IPL [Source: @fcnitish970/X.com]Ajinkya Rahane IPL [Source: @fcnitish970/X.com]

Ajinkya Rahane, a veteran Indian cricketer, had been the Test team’s most reliable batter in the past decade. He gained fame when, under his captaincy, India defeated Australia in the infamous Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-2021.

Besides, Rahane's IPL career has been something of a roller-coaster ride. He has been a part of the league since its inception in 2008. He played for multiple teams and thumped several match-winning knocks to earn high praise from the fans and critics. 

He made himself one of the most valued players in the history of the IPL through adaptability and strong determination as a top-order batsman.

Ajinkya Rahane IPL Team

Ajinkya Rahane IPL Team [Source: @AwaaraHoon/X.com]Ajinkya Rahane IPL Team [Source: @AwaaraHoon/X.com]

Current IPL Team of Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane is playing for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as of the IPL 2025 season. He was released in the mega auction pool by Chennai Super Kings (CSK). 

KKR, with a limited purse amount, placed the opening bid for Rahane and bought him for his base price of INR 1.50 crore. He previously played for KKR in the IPL 2022 season and his return was marked with enthusiasm from the franchise’s fanbase.

Teams Ajinkya Rahane has played for in IPL

IPL Seasons
Teams
Salary
2008-2009Mumbai Indians
INR 12 Lakh
2011-2013Rajasthan RoyalsINR 20 Lakh
2014-2015Rajasthan RoyalsINR 7.5 crore
2016Rising Pune SupergiantINR 8 crore
2017Rising Pune SupergiantINR 9.5 crore
2018-2019Rajasthan RoyalsINR 4 crore
2020-2021Delhi CapitalsINR 5.25 crore
2022Kolkata Knight RidersINR 1 crore
2023-2024
Chennai Super KingsINR 50 Lakh
2025Kolkata Knight RidersINR 1.50 crore

Ajinkya Rahane has played a lot of cricket in the IPL. He started his career with Mumbai Indians in the first season of the league in 2008. 

He did not get much chance before Rajasthan Royals (RR) noticed him and took him into their fold in IPL 2011. It was during his time with the Royals, under the mentorship of Rahul Dravid and alongside Shane Watson, that Rahane blossomed into a consistent and dynamic opening batter.

However, when Rajasthan Royals were suspended for two years, Rahane played for Rising Pune Supergiant, where he became the leading run-scorer in 2016. He even captained the side in a match when Steve Smith was unavailable. 

Further, Rahane returned to RR in 2018 and led the side after Smith's suspension. He also moved to Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2020 but could not regain his form. In 2022, he was picked by KKR, though his appearances were limited.

2023 became the turning point for Rahane, when CSK bought him at INR 50 Lakhs. Batting at No. 3, he performed incredible innings and kept a strike rate of 175+ across the season. His crucial knocks, including one in the final, helped CSK win their fifth IPL title, which was also Rahane's first-ever IPL title.

For IPL 2025, he once again participated in the mega auction and KKR reunited with him for a base price of INR 1.5 crore.

Ajinkya Rahane IPL Price

Ajinkya Rahane IPL Price [Source: @Vipintiwari952/X.com]Ajinkya Rahane IPL Price [Source: @Vipintiwari952/X.com]

Rahane’s IPL Auction Price

For the IPL 2025 season mega auction, Ajinkya Rahane set his base price at INR 1.5 crore. He drew interest from his former team, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as they bought him for the above-mentioned base price.

Rahane’s Worth in IPL Auctions over the years

IPL season
Salary
2008-2009INR 12 Lakh
2011-2013INR 20 Lakh
2014-2015INR 7.5 crore
2016INR 8 crore
2017INR 9.5 crore
2018-2019INR 4 crore
2020-2021INR 5.25 crore
2022INR 1 crore
2023-2024INR 50 Lakh
2025INR 1.50 crore

Ajinkya Rahane’s IPL auction price has varied from season to season. He began his career with MI for a nominal price of INR 12 Lakh. In 2011, he moved to RR and earned a salary of INR 20 Lakh. However, in 2014, Rahane’s market value shot up to INR 7.5 crore. 

Even with RPSG, he earned a whopping salary of INR 8 crore. That phase marked the prime period of Rahane’s career and he was rewarded accordingly by his franchises in the IPL.

However, in IPL 2018, his salary saw a 50% dip as he fetched an INR 4 crore salary from Rajasthan Royals before they transferred him to Delhi Capitals in 2020. His value further dropped in IPL 2022 as KKR bought him for INR 1 crore. 

Once he was sidelined from the Indian cricket team, Ajinkya Rahane struggled to find a place in the IPL. But CSK placed faith in him to buy him for INR 50 lakh in IPL 2023.

For the IPL 2025 season, the veteran’s value saw a marginal increase as the KKR acquired INR 1.50 crore during the mega auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Ajinkya Rahane IPL Captaincy Record

Matches
Wins
Losses
Win percentage
2591636

Ajinkya Rahane has had a mixed career as a captain in the IPL. He has led Rajasthan Royals and Rising Pune Super Giants from 2017 to 2019. Under his captaincy, though, his team won just 9 out of the 25 games and lost 16.

He was initially appointed captain after Steve Smith stepped down due to the ball-tampering scandal. He led RR to the playoffs in 2018 but had a disappointing 2019 season, which saw him being replaced by Smith midway. He also captained Rising Pune in one match during Steve Smith's absence due to food poisoning.

Ajinkya Rahane IPL Records

Ajinkya Rahane IPL Records [Source: @ThurunuJ/X.com]Ajinkya Rahane IPL Records [Source: @ThurunuJ/X.com]

Most runs by Rahane in an IPL season

Matches
Runs
Average
Strike Rate
100/50
1656040.00129.331/3

In the IPL, his best season came in 2012 when he was one of the top scorers for Rajasthan Royals. Ajinkya Rahane scored 560 runs at an average of 40.00 and with a strike rate of 129.33. He also slammed his maiden IPL century that year, hitting an unbeaten 103 off 60 balls against RCB.

Rahane’s IPL Centuries and fifties

Matches
Runs
Centuries
Fifties
1854642230

FAQs about Ajinkya Rahane IPL

Q.1 In which IPL team is Ajinkya Rahane?

Answer: Rahane is associated with Kolkata Knight Riders as of the IPL 2025 season after the franchise acquired him for INR 1.5 crore during a mega auction.

Q.2 How many centuries does Ajinkya Rahane have?

Answer: Ajinkya Rahane has so far scored 2 centuries in his IPL career that went over 185 games. He has also made an additional 30 fifties.

Q.3 Who bought Ajinkya Rahane in IPL 2025?

Answer: KKR purchased Rahane in the IPL 2025 mega auction for a base price of INR 1.5 crore.

Q.4 Is Ajinkya Rahane captain of KKR?

Answer: No, Ajinkya Rahane is not the captain of KKR. The franchise hasn't revealed the name of their captain for the IPL 2025 season.

Q.5 What is the highest score of Ajinkya Rahane in IPL?

Answer: The highest score of Ajinkya Rahane in IPL is 105* off 63 balls that he made against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2022.