MS Dhoni, the former India skipper and the only captain to have won all the three ICC trophies – World T20 Championship (2007), World Cup (2011) and Champions Trophy (2013)– announced his retirement from international cricket on Saturday.
The tributes started to pour in from all over the world as soon as the Captain Cool announced his decision to hang his boots.
Dhoni, who made his debut in international cricket in 2004, went on to play 350 ODIs, in addition to 90 Tests and 98 T20Is, and became one of the most successful Indian captains, leading the side to 178 wins across formats.
Add to it, his ability to take India home with the bat with and lightning fast glovework.
Dhoni, who ended his international career with 829 dismissals – third highest for a wicketkeeper – across formats, was lauded by the legendary Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist and England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler.
Always a pleasure to play against you @msdhoni You did it with style, flamboyance and above all else, calmness. Your own way. The Dhoni way. Congrats on all you achieved. https://t.co/K9zfx2VLmF
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) August 15, 2020
Buttler took to Instagram to pay his tributes to his “hero”.
“A hero of mine and so many millions more all around the world. Congratulations on a quite incredible international career @mahi7781! An honour to have played against you. #MS,” wrote Buttler.
Ex-England batsman Kevin Pietersen, meanwhile, welcomed Dhoni to “the retirement club” while lauding him on a “magical career”.
Welcome to the retirement club, MSD!
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) August 15, 2020
What a magical career! 🤝
Ricky Ponting, former Australian skipper and the second-highest run-getter in Test cricket, said that he enjoyed every contest that he and Dhoni were involved in.
Congrats @msdhoni on a brilliant international career. I loved and enjoyed every contest we had as players and now I still have to find ways to stop you winning games against the @DelhiCapitals. Look forward to saying it in person in a few weeks time. pic.twitter.com/R34XMtha0h
— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) August 16, 2020
Ponting’s compatriot and the spin-bowling legend Shane Warne congratulated the ex-India skipper on his “wonderful cricket career”.
Congrats to @msdhoni on a wonderful cricketing career ! Was a pleasure watching you play & the way you led your troops too. Good luck with everything you choose to do in the future ! Absolute legend 👍
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) August 15, 2020
Mahela Jayawardene, former Sri Lanka skipper, termed Dhoni as a “special player and wonderful guy”.
Congratulations to @msdhoni for a wonderful international career and wishing him all the best for his future. Special player and wonderful guy #values 👍
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) August 16, 2020
Former Australian all-rounder and Dhoni’s teammate at Chennai Super Kings, Shane Watson, lauded the former Indian skipper.
Congrats #MSDhoni on an amazing international career. You should be so incredibly proud of what you achieved on the field as a player and as one of the great leaders. You were always a tough opponent to play against and now playing with you for @ChennaiIPL has been a real treat. pic.twitter.com/dQEaIWfyFl
— Shane Watson (@ShaneRWatson33) August 16, 2020
Former India coach and South Africa batsman, Gary Kirsten, said that Dhoni was “one of the best leaders” he came across. Kirsten was India coach when the MS Dhoni-led side lifted the 2011 World Cup trophy.
A privilege to work with one of the best leaders I have come across. Thanks MS for many fond memories with the Indian Cricket Team. @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/WRNY1N7IVe
— Gary Kirsten (@Gary_Kirsten) August 17, 2020
South African speedster Kagiso Rabada also congratulated Dhoni on a “world-class international career”.
Congratulations @msdhoni on a world class international career. You’ll go down in history as a phenomenal captain and a true legend of the game 🙌🏿 Go well MSD!
— Kagiso Rabada (@KagisoRabada25) August 15, 2020
