'That's when I decided...': Rahane's reveals how father's quiet sacrifice shaped his journey
New Delhi, July 27
Veteran India batter Ajinkya Rahane has revealed how a childhood experience during his early cricketing days became the defining moment behind his motivation to succeed, sharing that his father's quiet sacrifice instilled in him the determination to play for his family.
Reflecting on his journey from a seven-year-old commuting to cricket practice in Mumbai to representing India at the highest level, Rahane recounted the incident in which his father gradually encouraged him to become independent, only for him to discover years later that he had never truly been alone.
"When I was at the age of seven, I was travelling by local train. On the first day, my father came and dropped me. He had to take leave from his office and he didn't get paid at that time. The second day, he said, 'You will have to travel alone by local train.' I was just seven. At the age of seven, travelling with my own kit bag, the packed local train in the early hours in Mumbai," Rahane said on BBC Sport.
Rahane said the full story emerged only years later, long after he had settled into the routine of travelling on his own.
"And he didn't tell me that... after probably five or six years down the line, he told me on that day he was following me from another compartment just to see if I reached the railway station okay or not," he stated.
The revelation, Rahane admitted, had a profound impact on him and reshaped the purpose behind his cricketing ambitions as he said that moment of realisation stayed with him throughout his career, serving as the motivation that drove him every time he stepped onto the field, whether in domestic cricket or while representing India.
"And that actually hit me hard. That's the time I decided, whatever I do from here on, whether I play for my state or my country, I'll do it for my parents and that motivation, that inspiration, always kept me going," the Mumbai batter said.
— IANS
Reader Comments
In India, our parents do so much without ever talking about it. Rahane's father didn't just drop him—he taught him independence while staying silently watchful. That's the Indian parenting style: pushing you to be strong while being your safety net. No wonder Rahane became such a mentally tough cricketer. Beautiful story.
Respect for Rahane—he's always been that unsung hero for India, especially in overseas conditions. But this story puts his character in perspective. The man plays for something bigger than himself. His father's quiet presence in another compartment is metaphor for how our elders shape us without seeking credit. True grit comes from such roots. 🙏
It's heartwarming but also a bit heartbreaking—imagine being 7 and thinking you're alone when your father is right there. These are the sacrifices middle-class Indian families make every day. Rahane could have easily become bitter from that experience, but instead he channeled it into motivation. That's what separates champions from the rest. Miss you in the Test team, Jinx!
This hits home for many of us who grew up in Mumbai. The local train, the early morning rush, the kit bag that's heavier than you are... and then finding out years later that your father was always there, watching from another compartment. Rahane's story reminds us that
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