The most successful captain in the history of Indian cricket, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has stepped down as the captain of the Indian ODI and T20I cricket teams, India’s BCCI said in a statement on Wednesday.
However, he will be available for selection for the upcoming one-day and T-20 series against England.
Known as ‘Captain Cool’ for his calm countenance in most challenging situations on the field, Dhoni captained India during the team’s 2007 ICC T-20 and 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup title victories.
He led India in 199 ODIs, winning 110 and losing 74, with four ties and 11 no-results. He has a winning percentage of 59.57. He also led India in 72 T20 Internationals, winning 41 and losing 28, with one tie and two no-results.
The BCCI said Dhoni was an outstanding captain.
"On behalf of every Indian cricket fan and the BCCI, I would like to thank M.S. Dhoni for his outstanding contribution as the captain of the Indian team across all formats. Under his leadership, Indian team has touched new heights and his achievements will remain etched forever in the annals of Indian cricket," ," said Rahul Johri, Chief Executive Officer of the BCCI.
Dhoni relinquished India’s test captaincy earlier in 2014.
Here's the best moment of Dhoni's career as captain of the Indan Cricket Team.
#Captain #msdhoni #mahi #DhoniStepsDown #dhoni 💙 This still gives me goosebumps...best moment in Indian ODI history 💙 pic.twitter.com/fSGg4GDusi — चक Norris 🌍 (@munna_dixit) January 4, 2017
While cricket fans would remember Dhoni for his now world-famous helicopter shot and the lofty hits into the crowd of spectators, but he is no less than a magician with his glove work behind the stumps.
Super Captain #Dhoni steps down as #Captain of #TeamIndia @msdhoni Your Excellent Captaincy & Track Record is Unmatchable!! pic.twitter.com/qae4Y3MSrh — Rosy (@rose_k01) January 4, 2017
Dhoni is also known for his gift of gab. While the 'Captain cool's bat does most of the talking on the cricket field and his quick sprinits between the stumps often amazed the spectators, off the field his wit is just as sharp.
This Australian journalist experienced it first hand when he asked Dhoni about his retirement plans after India's debacle in the 2016 T20 World Cup.
WATCH NOW: Despite loss @MSDhoni gives Indian fans reasons to smile, the 'Mahi Way' #IndvsWI https://t.co/GiyttUk0Sihttps://t.co/Z5IZBSw41q — NDTV (@ndtv) March 31, 2016
And, just in case you were thinking sending batsmen packing from behind the stumps and slaying the hapless bowlers with his mighty blows with the bat were Dhoni's only talents, just watch this video.
And finally, this. Dhoni- the sixer machine.
All the sixes hit by MS Dhoni in 2016 via Shantanu. pic.twitter.com/4BpBZAM2LZ — Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) December 31, 2016
