The man who led India to two World Cups, the only international cricket captain to have won all three ICC trophies, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has announced his retirement.
In an Instagram post on the evening of August 15, Dhoni wrote, “Thanks a lot for ur love and support throughout.from 1929 hrs consider me as Retired.”
Shortly after Dhoni posted this, his India and Chennai Super Kings teammate Suresh Raina put up a post on Instagram saying, “It was nothing but lovely playing with you, @mahi7781 . With my heart full of pride, I choose to join you in this journey. Thank you India. Jai Hind!”
In his 15-year career as an international cricketer, Dhoni led India to the World Twenty20 in 2007
and 50-over World Cup in 2011. The 39-year-old last played for India in the World Cup 2019 semi-final loss to New Zealand at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Dhoni had announced his retirement from Tests in 2014 but continued to play the shorter formats of the game.
He has played 350 ODIs in which he has scored 10773 runs at an average of 50.57 with 10 centuries and 73 fifties to his name.
He has also played 98 T20Is with 1617 runs at an average of 37.60, including two half-centuries.
Raina has played 8 Tests, scoring 768 runs at an average of 26.48 with one century to his name. His ODI record boosts 226 matches, 5615 runs at an average of 35.31 with 5 centuries and 36 half-centuries. In the shortest format of the game Raina has 1605 runs in 78 T20I matches with one century.
“It is the end of an era. What a player he has been for the country and world cricket. His leadership qualities have been something, which will be hard to match, especially in the shorter format of the game. His batting in one-day cricket in his early stages made the world stand up and notice his flair and sheer natural brilliance. Every good thing comes to an end and this has been an absolutely brilliant one. He has set the standards for the wicketkeepers to come and make a mark for the country. He will finish with no regrets on the field. An outstanding career; I wish him the best in life,” said BCCI President Sourav Ganguly.
“MS Dhoni is one of the greats of the modern era. I understand it’s a personal decision and we respect that. ‘Mahi’ as we all fondly refer to him, has had an exceptional career in international cricket. His captaincy has been both inspiring and commendable. He is leaving the game richer from the time he joined. I wish him all the very best for IPL and his future endeavours,” added Jay Shah, BCCI Secretary.