Highlights
- MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket on August 15
- Under his captaincy, India lifted the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy
- Indian Prime Minister pens a two-page letter heaping praises on the cricketer
“Your name will go down in history as being one of the world’s batting greats, among the greatest cricketing captains and certainly one of the best wicketkeepers the game has seen,” Indian PM Modi wrote in a personal letter to MS Dhoni, India’s former cricket captain after he announced his retirement.
M S Dhoni announced his international retirement on August 15, ironically coinciding with the Indian Independence Day, with a 16-word Instagram post.
‘Consider me as retired,’ the cricketer wrote accompanied by a 4-minute video showcasing some of the best cricketing moments of his career.
Disappointed cricket fans, colleagues from the cricket fraternity, Bollywood stars and Indian politicians took to Twitter to express their shock and wish the 39-year-old luck for his future.
On Wednesday, Indian PM Modi penned a long letter to him calling him, ‘one of the important illustrations of the spirit of New India’.
In his two-page letter to the cricketer, PM Modi said, “Where we come from does not matter as long as we know where we are headed - this is the spirit that you have exuded and inspired many youngsters with.”
“Rising from humble beginnings in a small town, you burst onto the national scene, made a name for yourself and most importantly made India proud. Your rise and conduct thereafter give strength and inspiration to crores of youngsters who like you have not been to cushy schools or colleges, neither do they belong to illustrious families but they have the talent to distinguish themselves at the highest levels. You have been one of the important illustrations of the spirit of New India, where family name does not make young people's destiny but they make their own names and their own destinies.”
MS Dhoni hails from the town of Ranchi, part of Jharkhand state in Eastern India. While he played cricket at the local level, he worked as Ticket Examiner with Indian Railways for two years before taking up cricket full-time and going on to play for the Indian cricket team.
MS Dhoni’s innings as the team’s captain saw India lift the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
Under Dhoni’s stewardship, India won the T20 World Cup in 2007, the 50-over World Cup in 2011 and the Champions Trophy in 2013. Source: AAP Image/AP Photo/Gurinder Osan
In 2013, under his captaincy, India became the first team in more than 40 years to whitewash Australia in a Test series.
In the Indian Premier League, he captained the Chennai Super Kings to victory at 2010, 2011 and 2018 seasons, along with wins in the 2010 and 2014 editions of Champions League Twenty20.
Dhoni also holds numerous captaincy records such as the most wins by an Indian captain in ODIs and T20Is, and most back-to-back wins by an Indian captain in ODIs.
Indian wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh (MS) Dhoni celebrates after stumping Australian batsman Glenn Maxwell, Friday, Jan. 29, 2016. Source: AAP Image/David Crosling
“This generation of Indians does not hesitate to take risks and back each other's abilities in even the toughest situations - seen in the way you took risks many a time in backing little known youngsters to deliver in high-pressure situations. The 2007 T-20 World Cup Finals is a perfect example of this spirit.
“This generation of Indians does not lose their nerve in decisive situations; we saw that in many of your innings and games.
“Our youth does not lose heart in the face of adversity and, most importantly, are fearless, just like the team you led.”
PM Modi said he hoped the retirement would give him an opportunity to spend more time with his young family.
MS Dhoni with wife Sakshi Dhoni at Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukones reception in Mumbai Source: Milind Shelte/The India Today Group via Getty Images
“I hope Sakshi and Ziva get to spend more time with you. I convey my good wishes to them as well, because without their sacrifices and support nothing would have been possible. Our youth could also learn from you how to balance professional and personal priorities; I remember seeing a picture of you playing with your cute daughter even as everyone around you was celebrating a victory in a particular tournament! That was vintage MS Dhoni.”
MS Dhoni shared this personal letter on Twitter and thanked PM Modi for his appreciation.
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind (R) confers the Padma Bhushan award to Indian cricketer Mahindra Singh Dhoni. (April 2018) Source: MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images
“An Artist, Soldier and Sportsperson what they crave for is appreciation, that their hard work and sacrifice is getting noticed and appreciated by everyone. Thanks, PM @narendramodi for your appreciation and good wishes,” Dhoni tweeted.
The wicketkeeper-batsman though retired from international cricket, will continue to play for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL).
