MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina retire from international cricket

www.mangaloretoday.com

New Delhi, August 16, 2020: India’s wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni announced his retirement through social media and soon, veteran Team India cricketer Suresh Raina followed announcing his retirement from international cricket.

While the news has sent shock amongst cricket fans, they will be seeing the duo in the Indian Premier League (IPL) playing for their franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

While love and wishes are being poured in for the two, many fans are asking why players like these including Rahul Dravid, Saurav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh, Gautam Gambhir and Virendra Sehwag did not get the farewell they deserved.

Shortly after former India captain MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket, tributes from the world of cricket all around the globe started pouring in. The likes of Sachin Tendulkar, captain Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Suresh Raina, and many more took to social media to congratulate their former captain on a wonderful career.

“Your contribution to Indian cricket has been immense, @msdhoni. Winning the 2011 World Cup together has been the best moment of my life. Wishing you and your family all the very best for your 2nd innings,” Tendulkar tweeted.

“Every cricketer has to end his journey one day, but still when someone you’ve gotten to know so closely announces that decision, you feel the emotion much more. What you’ve done for the country will always remain in everyone’s heart,” tweeted Kohli.

“The legend retires in his own style as always, @msdhoni bhai you have given it all for the country. The champions trophy triumph, 2011 World Cup and the glorious @ChennaiIPL triumphs will always be etched in my memory. Good luck for all your future endeavours,” Ashwin, Dhoni’s former India and Chennai Super Kings teammate, tweeted.

“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!,” Raina, one of Dhoni’s best friends, captioned a picture posted on Instagram.

Gautam Gambhir, who partnered Dhoni in a match-winning 109-run partnership in the final of the 2011 World Cup, tweeted: “From “India A” to “The India” our journey has been full of question marks, commas, blanks & exclamations. Now as you put a full stop to your chapter, I can tell u from experience that the new phase is as exciting and there’s no limit to DRS here!!! Well played @msdhoni”

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who made his international debut under Dhoni in 2016, called his former skipper a friend and an elder brother.

“There’s only one #MSDhoni. Thank you my friend and elder brother for being the biggest inspiration in my career. Will miss playing with you in the blue jersey but am sure you will always be there for me and will keep guiding me #7,” Pandya tweeted.

Dhoni retires as Indian cricket’s most successful captain in limited-over internationals, having won three ICC trophies - 2007 T20 World Cup, 50-over World Cup in 2011 and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. He last played international cricket during the semifinal of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in which India lost to New Zealand.