Similar to Ashwin, MS Dhoni also announced his retirement after a draw Test match during the Australia tour.
When Ravichandran Ashwin suddenly announced his retirement from the Indian cricket team after the third Test against Australia, former India coach Ravi Shastri couldn’t help but reflect MS Dhoni’s unexpected departure during his tenure.
Dhoni, like Ashwin, chose to retire mid-series with just one Test remaining. Dhoni’s retirement was particularly shocking as he was leading the team at the time and asked Virat Kohli to take over as captain for the final Test in Sydney despite having already lost the series. India’s draw in the MCG Test underscored the surprising nature of Dhoni’s retirement.
Recalling the fateful day in Melbourne after the draw at the MCG, Shastri recalled Dhoni asking to address the team. They thought Dhoni would congratulate the team on their performance in helping Australia draw the match, but they were shocked when he announced his retirement.
“Dhoni didn’t wait. I was the coach. He said, Ravi, I need to talk to the boys for five minutes. Since we had a draw at the MCG, I said, of course. I thought he was going to say, ‘ Well done, kids.” Instead, he just said: “Thank you, I’ve had enough,” Shastri said on SEN radio.
.@RaviShastriOfc The story behind MS Dhoni’s retirement and how it came as a surprise to everyone is explained.#Australianwind #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/iBa0BA5yUC
— SEN Cricket (@SEN_Cricket) December 18, 2024
Shastri expressed shock after hearing the news. “There’s still a Test match to go back to. He just, you know, just walked out there. Five-minute speech. No tantrums, no pranks. ‘I’ve had enough. Thank you so much for the support. You know, I’m not going to Sydney, but I’m all for you because after that it’s the World Cup.
Describing the atmosphere in the dressing room, Shastri pointed out that not a single player, not even those who spent time with him, had any idea that Dhoni was about to announce his retirement at the MCG.
“I looked around the dressing room. I asked the players if he had talked to them. No one knew. Even the people who were hanging out or spending time with him three days ago. No one knew he was going to come over and say what he did. He has played 94 or 95 Test matches and normally, you know, in India, a player like him, if he plays his 100th Test match and they say Ranchi. , the whole town would be on the pitch to celebrate the 100th Test… but no one gave him that. He just said, ‘I want to pack my bags,’ he added.
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