Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket yesterday, as he brought the curtain down on his illustrious 15-year career as an India cricketer when he posted on Instagram, calling an end to his international playing career.

Dhoni has been one of the best wicket-keepers to play international cricket and his record speaks for itself. The 39-year-old last played for India in the World Cup 2019 semi-final loss to New Zealand at Old Trafford in Manchester, played over two days on July 9 and 10.

“Thanks a lot for ur love and support throughout. from 1929 hrs consider me as Retired,” Dhoni wrote along with an Instagram post of a montage capturing his career with the national team.

Dhoni, who had announced his retirement from Tests in 2014, has played 350 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 98 T20 Internationals (T20Is).

In 350 ODIs, Dhoni had scored 10,773 runs at an average of 50.57. He has 10 centuries and 73 fifties to his name. Dhoni amassed 1,617 runs in 98 T20Is at an average of 37.60, including two half-centuries.

In January 2019, Dhoni added another feather to his cap as he became fifth Indian and 12th overall in ODI history to score 10,000 runs. The former India skipper achieved the milestone during first ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 12.

Dhoni joined the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Kumar Sangakkara, Brian Lara and Sanath Jayasuriya on the elite list.

The 2011 World Cup winning captain is only the second wicketkeeper-batsman to touch the 10,000-run mark. Sangakkara was the first designated wicketkeeper-batsman to achieve the landmark.

Under Dhoni’s captaincy, India lifted the 50-over World Cup in 2011 and the World Twenty20 in 2007. Dhoni also led India to the ICC Champions Trophy triumph in 2013 in England.

Raina too retires

Suresh Raina, one of India’s prolific white-ball players in the last decade-and-a-half, announced his retirement from international cricket, following in the footsteps of his favourite captain and mentor M.S. Dhoni.

Raina’s message came minutes after Dhoni told his millions of fans “consider me retired” on his Instagram page. “It was nothing but lovely playing with you, @mahi7781. With my heart full of pride, I choose to join you in this journey. Thank you India. Jai Hind,” Raina posted on his Instagram page.

The 33-year-old is among the few who scored centuries across formats having played 18 Tests, 226 ODIs and 78 T20 Internationals with nearly 8,000 international runs.

Virat Kohli, India captain, took to Twitter to congratulate Raina on a wonderful career.

Raina’s best moment was a crucial unbeaten knock in a tricky World Cup quarter-final against Australia during the triumphant 2011 campaign.

Rohit Sharma termed Dhoni as one of the most influential people in the Indian cricket ever. However, India’s limited-overs Vice-Captain is also happy that Dhoni will continue playing in the yellow jersey. Interestingly, he also spilled the beans on the opening game of the IPL 2020 willing to meet his former skipper at the toss on Sept. 19.