Former Indian cricket team skipper MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket on Sunday. The former India captain brings down the curtain to a 16-year-long international career wherein he won major International Cricket Council (ICC) trophies, including the 2011 World Cup.
MS Dhoni, however, will continue to play in the Indian Premier League. MS Dhoni took to social media to make the unforeseen announcement on India’s 74th Independence Day.
“Thanks a lot for ur love and support throughout. From 1929 hrs consider me as Retired,” MS Dhoni’s official statement on Instagram read.
MS Dhoni had not played international cricket since India’s defeat to New Zealand in the 2019 Cricket World Cup semi-final.
MS Dhoni arrived in Chennai on Friday to take part in a training camp organized by Chennai Super Kings in the lead up to IPL 2020. Dhoni is expected to lead CSK in IPL 2020 which will be played in the UAE from September 19 to November 10.
Dhoni remains the only captain in history to win all three ICC tournaments – the World T20 (2007), World Cup (2011) and the Champions Trophy (2013). He also led India to the top of the ICC Test rankings during his tenure as captain.
The Jharkhand wicket keeper-batsman debuted in 2004 but was out for a duck in his first ODI against Bangladesh. But he was destined for greatness.
In his fifth ODI, Dhoni blasted 148 off 123 balls against Pakistan to announce his arrival in the big stage. In October 2005, Dhoni smashed a record-smashing 183 not out as India chased down a massive target against Sri Lanka. The legend of MS Dhoni was born.
The Captain Cool who conquered the world
He was soon handed over the captaincy of the Indian team for the World T20 after the seniors decided to skip the tournament. Unnerved by the challenge, he led his men to glory in South Africa.
Not long after, Dhoni was named captain of India’s ODI team and he started his reign by winning the tri-nation Commonwealth Bank Series in Australia.
That marked the beginning of an incredible period for Indian cricket. Dhoni’s calm persona under pressure earned him the tag of Captain Cool. For the next decade (2007-2016), Dhoni led India in 199 ODIs, winning 110 and losing 74.
Dhoni also led India in 72 T20Is, the most by a captain. Under his leadership, India won 41 T20Is and lost 28. One was tied and two others failed to produce a result.
Dhoni led India in 60 Tests and won 27. The only black spot on his CV was India’s poor overseas record in Test cricket.
Dhoni leaves behind a rich legacy in Indian cricket. Even after stepping down as captain, he was integral to the team’s plans – his reading of the game, marshalling of the young bowlers and use of the DRS helped Kohli pull through some tense matches.
Source: India Today
