Former Indian skipper MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket on August 15, 2020. Through a video posted on his Instagram account, MS Dhoni conveyed his decision to the fans.

The veteran last played for India in the 2019 Cricket World Cup semi-final against New Zealand at Old Trafford. While many expected that retirement was on the cards, but a sudden announcement like this made the fans emotional.

Recently, former India selector Sarandeep Singh revealed that MS Dhoni wanted to play the 2020 ICC T20 World Cup. But due to the COVID pandemic, the tournament which was supposed to take place in Australia in October-November last year was postponed.

There's a reason why India fans remember the MS Dhoni era fondly 🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/2TdjGRwtuC

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 26, 2021

Dhoni then decided that it was time to bid adieu to International Cricket.

“(MS) Dhoni had already decided that he wouldn’t play the upcoming ODI World Cup in 2023. However, given his experience, the national team selectors were looking to have him on board for the T20 World Cup slated to take place in 2020 in Australia which unfortunately couldn’t take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Sarandeep Singh in an interview to News Nation.

We definitely wanted MS Dhoni in the squad: Sarandeep Singh

The selectors too were keen to have the experience of MS Dhoni in the high-voltage global tournament.

“We were looking to play him. If you have a player of such calibre, he must get a farewell. He deserved to be in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup. He has won India games many a time when the victory seemed impossible and his achievements meanwhile were equally good. Hence, we definitely wanted to have him in the squad, Sarandeep Singh added.

The fans will once again see MS Dhoni donning the leadership hat for the Chennai Super Kings in the second phase of the Indian Premier League, starting from September 19.

---