MS Dhoni yesterday retired from India’s national team ending one of the most heralded international cricket careers ever.

The 39-year-old wicketkeeper and batsman is India’s most successful captain having won the World Cup, the inaugural T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy.

Dubbed ‘Captain Cool’ because of his unflappable style, Dhoni is also one of India’s best loved sports personalities and his fans have been dreading this decision for months. Dhoni posted a four minute seven second video of his career highlights on Instagram and added in a caption: “Thanks a lot for your love and support throughout. From 1929hrs consider me as retired.”

Dhoni did not say whether this meant all cricket but Chennai Super Kings chief executive Kasi Vishwanathan told AFP that Dhoni would still lead the team in the Indian Premier League starting in the United Arab Emirates next month.

Dhoni arrived in Chennai on Friday to train with the team before they leave for Dubai next week. Dhoni’s Chennai teammate and fellow World Cup winner, Suresh Raina, also announced his international retirement.

Dhoni quit Tests in 2014 and has not played for the national side since India’s World Cup semi-final loss against New Zealand in England last year — his 350th one day international.

He holds the record for most international matches as captain, 332, and his 195 international stumpings is also the most by any wicketkeeper. Tributes poured in for the player who led India to the Twenty20 World Cup in 2007, the 50-over event in 2011 and the Champions Trophy in 2013.

He scored 10,773 runs in ODIs and is the only captain to have led a country to victory in all three International Cricket Council trophies.

“The boy from Ranchi, who made his ODI debut in 2004, changed the face of Indian cricket with his calm demeanour, sharp understanding of the game and astute leadership qualities,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India said in a statement confirming Dhoni’s move.

Source : Gulf Times

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