Mahendra Singh Dhoni stepped down as India's limited-overs captain on Wednesday after a trophy-laden nine-year reign. The 35-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, who rose from the cricketing backwaters of India's Jharkhand to lead the game's most passionately-followed team, will stand aside as captain immediately, but will remain available to play in the limited overs series against England later this month. "On the behalf of every Indian cricket fan and the BCCI, I would like to thank MS Dhoni for his outstanding contribution as the captain of the Indian team across all formats," chief executive of the Indian board Rahul Johri said in a statement.
"Under his leadership, the Indian team has touched new heights and his achievements will remain etched forever in the annals of Indian cricket," he added.
Reacting to Dhoni’s retirement, Sushant Singh Rajput, who played him in his biopic exclusively told DNA: “No I don't know the reason and I am really saddened by the news. Knowing him we can say that it must be a wise decision and it also explains why he is one of the best leaders we have had. He doesn't share his personal stuff with anyone, the nation and the team always comes first for him. I'm gonna miss him dearly as the captain of Indian cricket team.”
He added: “I am not an expert to comment on that and this is probably not the right time to comment about it. It is the time when we should just take out some time and remember the way this man has so selflessly and successfully led the Indian team for a decade.”
