End of Dhoni era : MS Dhoni retires

Legends come and go silently but they leave their unmatchable legacy behind and this is what MS Dhoni did, and this is what we expect only Dhoni could do.

MS Dhoni, the former Indian cricket team captain, and believe me it really hurts me when I use the word former, has taken announced his retirement from international cricket, although he will continue to play IPL for his franchise Chennai Super Kings. His 16-year-old illustrious career, of which we are so proud of, came to an end on 15th August. “Thanks – Thanks a lot for ur love and support throughout. From 1929 hrs consider me as Retired.”

Actually, this didn't come as a surprise to me because the last match he played against New Zealand was at the World Cup 2019 more than a year ago and since then he has not made himself available for any ODI or T20 series. He is not a man who loves to show many emotions and this has been his style for the past 16 years but the time he got runout from a bullet throw by Martin Guptill in the semi-final, those emotions of not getting the team cross the finishing line was seen explicitly on his face. He knew that this is his last world cup and his last innings in the blue jersey. It was his 350th ODI and it was predecided in his mind that this his time to leave and believe me I personally hate to say this number 7 has officially retired from the international cricket.

He already retired from the Test cricket back in 2014 December with 4876 runs from 90 matches, but he continued to play the shorter formats of the game. His numbers in ODI cricket are staggering, he has 10,773 runs with an astonishing average of above 50 after playing 350 matches and that's why he is the greatest finisher of the game. 

Dhoni started off his career as a 23-year-old fearless batsman against Bangladesh in December of 2004. The following year, he slammed his maiden ODI hundred- 148 vs Pakistan at Vizag which brought him in the limelight in the cricket fraternity. Later he slammed 183 not out vs Sri Lanka which made him a superstar overnight and this is also the highest individual score of Dhoni and the best score of a wicketkeeper in ODIs. In 2006, Dhoni scored his maiden hundred 148 vs Pakistan in Faisalabad and then there was no turning back for him.

After a disastrous 2007 ODI world cup, Dhoni was given the charge of a young side for the first-ever upcoming T20 world cup in South Africa, where India clinched the riveting final against Pakistan. His decision to give last over to Joginder Sharma came as a total surprise to many, but as said, only Dhoni knows what Dhoni does and it was evident in every decision he has taken in his entire career as a captain or even as a person. Another big win came in 2008, he led India to win the renowned CB series in Australia, beating the host in back to back finals. This was the rise of a true legend as the greatest finisher and arguably the best captain the game has ever witnessed in the shorter formats especially.

He took over the Test captaincy from Anil Kumble in 2008, in 2009, he took India to the pinnacle of ICC Test rankings for the first time and a series win in New Zealand which strengthened his force as an eminent leader. He took over Saurav Ganguly as India's most successful captain with 27 wins in 60 matches he played as captain, a record that stood until last year Virat Kohli bettered it.

In 2010 India won the Asia Cup after 15 years beating Sri Lanka. This was the starting preparation for the mega event, the 50 over World Cup, that was taking place in India after 15 years and of course, India was the hot favorite and was the top contender in the race for winning the trophy. With Dhoni leading, India realized that their dream can come true after 28 long years. Struggling for runs in the tournament, he saved his best for the last and it is said, " he who has the last laugh has the best laugh".

He hit an unbeaten 91 off just 79 balls and helped India to lift the prestigious Cup after 28 years. That last ball six from Dhoni is still "the" most iconic movement in the Indian Cricket history. 

Post World Cup, Dhoni's captaincy prowess in Test matches, began shrinking or I should say it just disappeared. India lost 0-4 both to England and Australia, but he revived his captaincy skills and instincts back in 2013 Champions Trophy win against England in England and thus completing the trifecta of ICC trophies, becoming the only captain to achieve this feat till date.

In January 2017 against England, he stepped down as India's limited over captain passing on the baton to Virat Kohli. Since then he played under him and groomed many young players such as the spin duo Kuldeep and Chahal, Hardik Pandya, Jaspreet Bumrah, and the list goes on.

He was a pivotal part of the 2019 World Cup squad which was led by Virat Kohli. The crunch semi-final against New Zealand which was, in fact, a two-day affair- Dhoni almost got India home. His last walk towards the dressing room was full of emotions that were splitting all around, but this man was intact as he was in his entire career. 

Salute to the best ever captain," captain cool", the name which can only be associated with him.