Cricketer, captain, and now a committed entrepreneur, Ajinkya Rahane’s journey from the crease to the boardroom has been defined by discipline, clarity, and quiet conviction.
By Nichola Marie
You have captained the Indian team in all formats, leading with calm and consistency, losing only one match under your leadership. What do you attribute this success to, and how would you describe your leadership style both on and off the field?
For me, leadership is about genuinely connecting with your teammates — not just in terms of performance on the field, but also understanding what motivates them off it. A good leader, in my opinion, is someone who supports others through every situation, shows empathy, and genuinely cares about the well-being of the team.
I try to set an example by having one-on-one interactions with the players. Such honest conversations help build trust and create an environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves and performing with confidence. I also encourage my team members to support each other by spending time with those who may be struggling. This helps them in encouraging others to up their game.
At the heart of it, leadership for me is about trust, unity, and helping people bring out their best — both as players and as individuals.
From the cricket pitch to the boardroom — how has your experience as a professional athlete shaped your approach to entrepreneurship?
I have learnt a lot from cricket and I am still learning new things with the game evolving. There are some learnings from cricket that I can see are common in entrepreneurship. The most important quality, I think, is being resilient. Most sportspeople experience both highs and lows throughout their careers. It’s important to accept that challenges are a part of the journey and to learn how to stay patient, focused, and resilient during tough times. I think the same applies in businesses, most of them will go through ups and downs but it’s important to be resilient and stay positive. I have learnt that in my cricketing journey so far.
Looking back at your cricketing career, which moment taught you the most about resilience, a value that now helps you as a business leader?
I had to wait for almost two years to make my debut as a Test cricketer. Playing Test cricket for India was always my biggest dream and I was so close to achieving it, but had to wait for 20-odd Test matches where I was the 12th man.
That period made me mentally stronger. I used that time well to observe and learn from seniors in the team. I used this time to better myself on and off the field so that whenever I got an opportunity, I was ready.
You’ve invested in diverse ventures — from sports tech to oat milk to agri-innovation. What draws you to a business idea, and how do you decide it’s worth backing?
I look at investing in two ways — one is coming in purely as an investor, and the other is combining that role with being a brand ambassador. Agritech, health, sports and fitness have been the categories we started with initially to keep a focused approach and then looked at interesting opportunities outside these domains.
I only initiate conversations with founders if I truly believe in their idea. If I see honesty, passion and purpose in them, we begin collaborating on how I can contribute to growing their brand.
How do you balance your personal brand as a cricketer with your role as an investor and mentor in the startup ecosystem?
My brand as a cricketer has always been keeping things simple, and that’s how I also approach my role as an investor. I trust the management team and the founders to manage the day-to-day operations, and I step in wherever the brand and stakeholders need my opinion.
I genuinely believe in the power of collaboration and that’s where I feel I can add the most value. As a cricketer, I travel extensively and get the opportunity to interact with people from diverse backgrounds who are doing some amazing work. This allows me to foster connections with these founders and explore relevant opportunities where I can add value to the brands as an ambassador.
With your involvement in companies like Hudle and Proxgy, you are combining tech with physical wellbeing and safety. What excites you most about the future of such innovations in India?
What excites me most is how technology is being used to improve lives — especially in areas that matter – health, fitness, and safety. This intersection of tech and real-world helps in creating a stronger impact in the lives of people.
Take Proxgy, for example. Their smart helmets, equipped with cameras and GPS, are helping ensure greater safety and accountability for workers. It’s that kind of practical, purpose-driven technology that truly stood out for me.
Hudle was my first investment back in 2019. After the pandemic, people were eager to get outside, play, and reconnect — and Hudle helped in making sports venues accessible. I love the way the actual app has evolved since we started out – the team has worked hard to make it easy-to-use and navigate.
It’s inspiring to see how such innovations are helping shape a healthier, more connected India. I was recently inducted onto the board of a digital health company and, through this role, I’m looking forward to exploring more opportunities to contribute to the healthcare space.
Your support of agricultural initiatives is especially inspiring. What sparked your interest in this sector, and what change do you hope to create through it?
Agriculture has always been close to my heart — it’s my passion and part of my roots, as I come from a farming family. The intent was to make some meaningful impact on the lives of farmers and while we explored many options, we were searching for something that can be sustainable and long-term.
With support from MCCI, we think we can contribute by supporting young agri-tech startups who are doing impactful work in the sector.
I am also an ambassador for the Rainforest Alliance, which does work globally to help sustainability and agriculture, and I am excited to discuss ideas with them about my involvement.
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs who may not have a background in business but are passionate and eager to learn, much like yourself?
Discipline is the golden rule for every aspiring entrepreneur. That’s something cricket has taught me — showing up every day, staying consistent, and being willing to put in the hard work even when no one is watching.
You don’t always need a business degree to build something meaningful. But if you have commitment, focus, and the right mindset, I always believe you will meet people who believe in your vision. Whether it’s sports or business, it all comes down to preparation, perseverance, and passion.
Are there any upcoming sectors or types of impact-driven businesses that you’re particularly excited to explore or invest in next?
Healthcare and AI are things that I strongly believe in. These are two new sectors I am trying to learn more about.
