India World Cup winner MS Dhoni retires from international cricket after Instagram announcement

‘Thanks a lot for your love and support throughout’: India legend MS Dhoni retires from international cricket with 39-year-old World Cup winner announcing his decision on Instagram

  • MS Dhoni captained India to the World Twenty20 title and 50-over World Cup 
  • He completed the limited-overs treble by winning the 2013 Champions Trophy 
  • The 39-year-old wicketkeeper has not played for India since the 2019 World Cup 

India legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni has announced his retirement from international cricket following an illustrious 15-year career.

The 39-year-old wicketkeeper captained India to the World Twenty20 title in South Africa in 2007 before achieving 50-over World Cup glory on home soil four years later after beating Sri Lanka in the final in Mumbai.

Dhoni then completed the limited-overs treble by helping his side secure the 2013 Champions Trophy after a thrilling victory against England in the final at Edgbaston.  

Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has announced his retirement from internationals

Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has announced his retirement from internationals

Dhoni announced his decision by posting on Instagram to bring a 15-year career to a close

Dhoni announced his decision by posting on Instagram to bring a 15-year career to a close

Dhoni announced his decision on Saturday afternoon on Instagram, writing: ‘Thanks a lot for your love and support throughout. From 1929 hrs consider me as retired’.

The news brings closure to an uncertain saga that has lasted more than 12 months following India’s defeat to New Zealand in last year’s World Cup semi-final.

Dhoni had not represented his country since their defeat at Old Trafford in July 2019, but made significant contributions for India in all formats.

Dhoni had not played for India since their semi-final loss to New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup

Dhoni had not played for India since their semi-final loss to New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup

Having made his India debut in 2004, Dhoni went on to score 10,773 one-day international runs – the 11th highest tally in history – in 350 games, which included 10 centuries. 

Appointed India captain in 2007, he led India in 200 ODIs and 72 T20s, and remains the only player to captain in more than 50 matches in all three formats.

He also guided India to the top of the International Cricket Council rankings before retiring from the longest form of the game in 2014 and handing the captaincy over to Virat Kohli.

Dhoni is only the second wicketkeeper-batsman to have passed the 10000-run mark

Dhoni is only the second wicketkeeper-batsman to have passed the 10000-run mark

Prior to his retirement he had played 90 Tests, in which he scored 4,876 runs, while he also amassed 1617 runs in 98 T20Is.

The 2011 World Cup winning captain is only the second wicketkeeper-batsman to have passed the 10000-run mark, with former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara the first to achieve the landmark.

Dhoni was the 12th player in one-day history to reach that same landmark and in doing so joined the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Sangakkara, Brian Lara and Sanath Jayasuriya.

source: dailymail.co.uk