When Dhoni announced his sudden retirement, Ravi Shastri revealed what happened that day

New Delhi. Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (MS Dhoni’s retirement) surprised everyone by abruptly retiring from international cricket on August 15 last year. Dhoni shared a message on Instagram without any decision and informed the fans about his decision. As he said goodbye to international cricket, MS Dhoni announced his retirement from Test cricket in 2014. Then Team India toured Australia and on the last day of the Melbourne Test, he spoke to team director Robbie Shastri. Shastri has announced Dhoni’s retirement from Test cricket in his new book Stargazing: The Players in My Life.

In his book, Shastri gives a full account of the day when Dhoni suddenly announced his retirement from Test cricket at the end of the Melbourne Test (26-30 December 2014). Shastri wrote in the book that no one knew about Dhoni’s decision. The third Test of the series is in Melbourne. We drew the match on the last day. Dhoni had to go to the press conference. Before going there he told me that Robbie brother, when I come back, I have to talk to my fellow players. Then I told him that you are the captain, absolutely you can talk.

Dhoni is a fearless and selfless person: Shastri
Shastri further writes in his book that he (Dhoni) came back from the press conference and announced that this is my last Test match. Dhoni is such a man. He is fearless and selfless. He proved it with such a big decision in the middle series.

He played only 90 Tests then. At that time Dhoni was the biggest player in the world of cricket. He had two World Cups and one Champions Trophy title. He was also talking in IPL. His own form was good and he was just 10 matches away from 100 Tests. But even then he said goodbye to cricket. He is not one of those who thinks that if 100 or 120 tests are done, then I will retire. He felt it was difficult to play in all three formats now, so he decided to leave the Tests immediately. Every person is different and this is Dhoni’s quality, only he can do it.

‘I told Dhoni to change his mind’
Shastri, the head coach of Team India, wrote more about Dhoni’s retirement in the book that “I have tried to persuade Dhoni to reconsider his decision.” He was still one of the fittest players in the team. He had the opportunity to further improve his Test career.

IND vs ENG: 3 Indians may end their careers in England, including players who have scored 16,000 runs

Dhoni had a chance to play 100 Tests
Shastri further writes that all the players say that personal record is not important to them, but keep something for them. I tried to catch them, why they are thinking of changing their decision. But MS was firm in her thinking, which prevented me from moving forward on this issue. It is true that he was not young, but he was not old either. Still, he decided to quit Test cricket. Now when I look back, I think his decision was right. They are really brave.

IND vs ENG: … This is why Shardul is called ‘Lord Shardul’

Dhoni has played 90 Tests for India
Dhoni has scored 48 runs at an average of 0.0 in Tests for India. He scored centuries and half-centuries in Tests. He had 256 matches and 38 stumpings in this format. He is India’s second most successful Test captain. Under his captaincy, India have won 227 out of 600 Tests. Virat Kohli is in the first place. Under his captaincy, India have won 37 Tests so far.