Virat Kohli paid tribute to Ajinkya Rahane after the former India batsman announced his retirement from international cricket, describing him as his “favourite Test batting partner” and “safest pair of hands in the slips”.“In an Instagram post, Kohli shared a photo of himself with Rahane in India’s Test whites and praised his long-standing contribution to Indian cricket.“Jinks, congratulations on a great career, friend. You have done wonders for Indian cricket, and you can be very proud of your journey. The safest pair of hands in the slips and my favorite Test batting partner. Wishing you well always. God bless,” Kohli posted.On Thursday, Rahane announced his retirement from international cricket and all formats through an emotional video shared on Instagram, bringing the curtain down on a career spanning nearly two decades.In Tests, Rahane played 85 matches and 144 innings, scoring 5,077 runs, including 12 centuries and 26 fifties, at an average of 38.46 and a strike rate of 49.50.In ODIs, he played in 90 matches and 87 innings, scoring 2,962 runs, with three centuries and 24 fifties, at an average of 35.26 and a strike rate of 78.63.In T20Is, he played 20 matches, scoring 375 runs, no centuries and fifty, at an average of 20.83 and a strike rate of 113.29.Rahane also finished with an unbeaten record as India’s Test captain. He led the team in six Tests, recording four wins and two draws, giving him the highest win percentage among Indian Test captains who have led the side in at least five matches.His captaincy included the comeback win in Melbourne and India’s series win at the Gabba during the 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where India defeated Australia 2–1 and ended Australia’s long unbeaten run at the venue.Rahane also captained India to a Test win over Australia in Dharamshala in 2017.