New Delhi: As one of India’s most illustrious cricketers and former captain M.S. Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket through a video montage of ‘Main pal do pal ka shayar hu‘ on Instagram, the tributes came pouring in from all sides.
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Dhoni captained the Indian cricket team for almost a decade from 2007 to 2016 in the limited overs format and from 2008 to 2014 in Test cricket. He is the only captain in the history of cricket to have won all three ICC trophies — 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
Along with Dhoni, fellow cricketer and teammate at Chennai Super Kings Suresh Raina also announced his retirement.
Among the people to congratulate Dhoni for his career was India’s Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar who said “Your contribution to Indian cricket has been immense… Winning the 2011 World Cup together has been the best moment of my life.”
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. pic.twitter.com/5lRYyPFXcp
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 15, 2020
Former Team India mate Virendra Sehwag said, “To have a player like him,Mission Impossible. Na Koi Hai,Na Koi Tha, Na Koi Hoga MS ke jaisa.”
To have a player like him,Mission Impossible. Na Koi Hai,Na Koi Tha, Na Koi Hoga MS ke jaisa. Players will come & go but there won’t be a calmer man like him. Dhoni with his connect with people having aspirations was like a family member to many cricket lovers. Om Finishaya Namah pic.twitter.com/glemkBUwWT
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 15, 2020
Anil Kumble, from whom Dhoni had taken over Test captaincy of India, praised his “calm demeanour”.
Congratulations @msdhoni on a great International career. It was an honour to play alongside. Your calm demeanour and the laurels you brought as skipper will forever be remembered and cherished. Wishing you the very best.
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) August 15, 2020
Aside from the two cricketing legends, current teammates Hardik Pandya, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Ashwin, Cheteshwar Pujara bid farewell to Dhoni who was also known as “captain cool”.
Not just Indian players, but international cricketers such as Shoaib Akhtar, Brad Hogg and Kevin Peterson too paid their tributes to the former Indian captain.
Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle got poetic and said “Where #Thala goes #ChinnaThala follows”, talking about Raina and Dhoni retiring at the same time.
Where #Thala goes #ChinnaThala follows. Great fun watching you play @ImRaina. All those unforgettable performances….. Well played.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 15, 2020
Aside from the cricketing world, politicians across party lines were united in bidding farewell to Dhoni. Among these were Union Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur, Shiv Sena Deputy Leader Priyanka Chaturvedi, former Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha
"Things end but memories last forever.”
Quoting you @ImRaina from #worldcup2011
What a fantastic journey and a champions knock all the way. Wishing you the best for your 2nd innings ! pic.twitter.com/a3PZWMSYlM
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) August 15, 2020
The world of cricket bid farewell to the former Indian skipper, with both the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) saying goodbye to Dhoni.