2-Time World Cup-Winning Captain Dhoni Retires From International Cricket

Two-time World Cup-winning captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced his retirement on Saturday via an Instagram post.

“Thanks a lot for ur love and support throughout.. from 1929 hrs consider me as Retired (sic),” wrote Dhoni, who led India with distinction in all three formats — winning the 2007 T20 and 2011 ODI World Cups, as well as 2013 Champions Trophy.

He did not mention the formats he’s retiring from, but Dhoni is expected to play in the upcoming IPL to be held in the UAE. He was spotted arriving in Chennai for Chennai Super Kings’ training camp earlier on Saturday. The 2020 IPL will be held in the UAE from September 19.

He had retired from Test cricket in 2014 to concentrate on the limited-overs formats.

The charismatic wicketkeeper-batsman from Jharkhand has been on a sabbatical from international cricket since India were knocked out of the ODI World Cup semifinal by New Zealand in July 2019.

He had refused to talk about his future and said during an event in Mumbai late last year that questions regarding his return to cricket should be asked only after January 2020. “January tak mat poocho (don’t ask me till January),” he had said.

Dhoni, who turned 39 last month, made his international debut in December 2004 – in an ODI against Bangladesh in Chittagong. It wasn’t a memorable first game for India senior side, as he was run out without opening his account.

His Test debut was a year later, in the rain-ruined match against Sri Lanka in Chennai.

Dhoni played 90 Test matches, scoring 4876 runs at an average of just over 38, with 6 centuries and 33 fifties. He effected 294 dismissals donning the big gloves, including 256 catches and 38 stumpings.

In the 50-over format, he played a staggering 350 ODIs, scoring 10,773 runs at a superb average of 50.57, with 10 hundreds and 73 fifties. Considered to be one of the best finishers in ODI cricket, Dhoni acheieved a career strike rate of 87.56.

He also featured in 98 T20 Internationals, scoring 1617 runs at a strike rate of 126.13.

Dhoni holds the record for leading India in maximum number of Tests (60), of which he won 27 and losing 18, and ODIs (200) of which he won 110 and lost 74.

In T20 Internationals, Dhoni is the most successful captain globally, having led India to 41 victories in 71 matches.

He carved a niche for himself in IPL cricket, leading Chennai Super Kings to three titles.