One of the most influential cricketers that emerged from India, the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni has announced his retirement from international cricket on 15th August 2020, India’s independence day. After months and months of rumours and speculations over the former Indian cricket team captain’s future in international cricket, Mahi has confirmed his exit from the Men in Blue dressing room.
Revered as one of the most successful skippers of all time, the ‘Captain Cool’ made his last appearance for India all the way back in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. Now after more than a year long hiatus, the iconic wicket keeping batsman finally calls it quits.
Coming off as a bombshell of a news, the Indian sporting fraternity have taken to social media to respond to Dhoni’s retirement.
The most surprising reaction came from Dhoni’s teammate Suresh Raina, the superstar Team India batsman Chennai Super Kings vice captain who decided to follow the footsteps of his captain and hung his boots up as well.
ALSO READ: After MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina announces international retirement!
Below here are some of the best tweets paying homage to Dhoni, including his teammates, present and past cricketers, as well as other prominent sportspersons of the country.
Your contribution to Indian cricket has been immense, @msdhoni. Winning the 2011 World Cup together has been the best moment of my life. Wishing you and your family all the very best for your 2nd innings. pic.twitter.com/5lRYyPFXcp
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 15, 2020
but the mutual respect and warmth I've received from you will always stay in mine. The world has seen achievements, I've seen the person. Thanks for everything skip. I tip my hat to you 👏🇮🇳 @msdhoni
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) August 15, 2020
Not an azaadi cricket lovers wanted from.
Thank you for the innumerable memories together and wish you a great and equally inspiring life ahead. https://t.co/WtT0Xd3A8H— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 15, 2020
A man who gave hope to every small-town cricketer looking to start their careers. He now calls time on his career as the only captain to win all 3 ICC tournaments and the greatest finisher ever. To choose Independence Day for his final goodbye speaks volumes about #MSDhoni. pic.twitter.com/UIHqpXItyy
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 15, 2020
Thank you #MSDhoni for all the entertainment and wonderful memories. Good luck on your next innings 👏🏼 @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/K7ytjCi7vF
— Jhulan Goswami (@JhulanG10) August 15, 2020
Greatest wicket Keepar batsman,captain @msdhoni I wish you lots of happiness going forward..Thank you for all the great contributions and memories on the field..Congratulation on great 🏏 career.. see you soon in yellow jersey #WhistlePodu @ChennaiIPL #Dhonifinishesoffinstyle
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 15, 2020
Congratulations @msdhoni on a great International career. It was an honour to play alongside. Your calm demeanour and the laurels you brought as skipper will forever be remembered and cherished. Wishing you the very best.
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) August 15, 2020
It was a privilege to have played with a friend and a cricketer who gave many laurels to our country on the cricketing field, very very greatly done on your career @msdhoni #dhoniretires pic.twitter.com/ksfbedyDnQ
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) August 15, 2020
Elder brother, mentor, captain and above all a legend of the game. Learnt so much from you skipper. The game will miss you 💙 #legend pic.twitter.com/T6WnNPp1RH
— Ravindrasinh jadeja (@imjadeja) August 15, 2020
Legend retires 👏
Congratulations on a great career
Best wishes ahead in life #MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/XtZ8zq9Tem— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) August 15, 2020
Two of the greatest cricketers @msdhoni @ImRaina have taken retirement from Indian cricket today. Their entertaining performances and best moments to Indian cricket will be missed. My best wishes to Dhoni bhaiya & Suresh bhaiya. #DhoniRetires #rainaretires #SureshRaina #MSDhoni7 pic.twitter.com/QL29cTf8Oa
— Hima (HD) (@HimaDas8) August 15, 2020
Thank you @msdhoni bhai for your contribution to Indian cricket, and the mentorship over the years. Congratulations on a remarkable career, and best wishes for the journey ahead! pic.twitter.com/pQfIzEJnHe
— cheteshwar pujara (@cheteshwar1) August 15, 2020
A little tribute. In his style…..#MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/SNFQVtc2kK
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 15, 2020
There’s only one #MSDhoni. Thank you my friend and elder brother for being the biggest inspiration in my career. Will miss playing with you in the blue jersey but am sure you will always be there for me and will keep guiding me 🙏🏾🇮🇳 #7 pic.twitter.com/Q3j9pbcOGy
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) August 15, 2020
Captain. Leader. Legend. Thanks Mahi bhai for everything you have done for the country! 🇮🇳 #MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/IhcF6FAicL
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) August 15, 2020
The legend retires in his own style as always, @msdhoni bhai you have given it all for the country. The champions trophy triumph, 2011 World Cup and the glorious @ChennaiIPL triumphs will always be etched in my memory. Good luck for all your future endeavours. #MSDhoni
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) August 15, 2020
Thank you #MSDhoni for all the entertainment and wonderful memories. Good luck on your next innings 👏🏼 @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/K7ytjCi7vF
— Jhulan Goswami (@JhulanG10) August 15, 2020
You’ve been a friend and a guide on the field and off it. I’ve learnt so many valuable lessons by simply watching you be & I am glad I got to be a part of your professional journey. Congratulations on an illustrious career, Mahi Bhai, thank you for the memories. @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/UaycpTq8LV
— Jasprit Bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) August 15, 2020
Of all the memories of #MSDhoni,this one is funny. My first tour of Zimbabwe with him . #mahi used to make prank calls to his friends in Ranchi! And, he still used to do that even when he became the legend. pic.twitter.com/yUiIHoqA8L
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) August 15, 2020
Thanks for everything Mahi Bhai…you will always be special for me, have learnt so much from you! Always wishing you the best! pic.twitter.com/4MFQvHbAzN
— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) August 15, 2020
Adios @msdhoni. Thanks a lot for all the trophies and the memories. As long as cricket lives your legacy will live on. #MSDhoni #dhoniretires pic.twitter.com/xq55FQeh6c
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) August 15, 2020
For Indian Cricket, some shoes will never be filled. One of them is Mahi bhai #MSDhoni #dhoniretires pic.twitter.com/SRcsA3E0jq
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) August 15, 2020
To the man, the leader from whom I've learnt so much, thank you Mahi bhai for always being there for me and guiding me throughout.#ThankYouMSDhoni pic.twitter.com/f8PkoWB7Q2
— Mohammad Shami (@MdShami11) August 15, 2020
A visionary leader who has given us innumerable memories to cherish. May your story continue to inspire people to push beyond the boundaries of wisdom and success.
You will forever be a champion, @msdhoni ♥️ pic.twitter.com/WsbcVlHO8a
— Mayank Agarwal (@mayankcricket) August 15, 2020
Bidding adieu silently, as you expect from the legend! Thank you for teaching us throughout your career.
Have an equally thrilling second innings champion. @msdhoni— Unmukt Chand (@UnmuktChand9) August 15, 2020
2020 continues! 😔
Watching @msdhoni was one of my reasons to watch cricket
You shall always be our Captain Cool!
Wish you a very happy 2nd innings of life!#MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/Ouyg4VkpuH— Kidambi Srikanth (@srikidambi) August 15, 2020
रे कप्तान बहुत कसूता खेला ❣️👏👏👏👏#Dhoni #DhoniRetires pic.twitter.com/rbWZzavNum
— Dadi Chandro Tomar (@realshooterdadi) August 15, 2020
Always Carefree…never careless. Understood the importance of ‘moments’ but never got overawed by them. Redefined wicket keeping….mastered the art of finishing. An end of an era. MSD, one of the finest the world has seen. Or will ever see. Go well 🙌🙏 #MSDhoni
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 15, 2020
An experience of a lifetime. Playing with you has been an honour. So many learnings on and off the field.Thank you for all the guidance,you helped me became a better cricketer and improved my game.Cherish all the moments together and will miss you. Best wishes @msdhoni #legend 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/NKUxMBSivl
— Kuldeep yadav (@imkuldeep18) August 15, 2020
Our captain cool retires from International cricket today, bringing an era to an end. Undoubtedly the champion of champions and an incredible human being. You will be missed @msdhoni bhaiya. Thank you for all the memories. #MSDhoni
— Rahul Chahar (@rdchahar1) August 15, 2020
क्रिकेट के खेल में देश को नई ऊचाईयां देने तथा करोड़ों क्रिकेट प्रेमियो को कभी ना भूलने वाले यादगार लम्हे देने वाले @msdhoni तथा @ImRaina खेल जगत में आप दोनों हमेशा याद रखे जाएंगे।
भारतीय क्रिकेट जगत में आप दोनों के अद्वितीय योगदान को सदैव याद किया जाएगा।#MSDhoni #SureshRaina pic.twitter.com/ZhSQvWyBU8
— Col Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) August 15, 2020
Captain, Legend, Inspiration, Mentor and above all a Great Human being. Not enough words to describe you Mahi bhai. Congratulations on a fantastic career Mahi bhai. All the best for your future. Respect. #dhoni pic.twitter.com/QsQRK4NzbD
— Shivam Dube (@IamShivamDube) August 15, 2020
Congratulations on a wonderful career @msdhoni !You were one of the best captains ever to step onto a cricket field & I m blessed to have shared some special moments with you! I wish you and your family the same success in your next innings! #MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/uH0qoJcNyi
— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) August 15, 2020
The legend retires ! @mahi7781 Dhoni bhai, you're an inspiration to millions both on & off the field. I feel honoured to have played with you. I cherish so many memories.I wish you all best for all your future endeavours @BCCI
@msdhoni@DelhiCapitals#mahendrasinghdhoni #MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/bhqvMGApjE— Amit Mishra (@MishiAmit) August 15, 2020
They may not play for India from today, but they are still our very own CSK treasures. Always our Thala and Chinna Thala ! #MSDhoni #SureshRaina #WhistlePodu
💝💝💝💝💝💝💝 pic.twitter.com/1U4isKpjEe
— Kasturi Shankar (@KasthuriShankar) August 15, 2020
Date: Independence Day
Time: Sunset at the southernmost tip of India
Place: Chepauk, their Anbuden#73Forever #Thala #ChinnaThala 🦁🦁 pic.twitter.com/mnExWIfuyf— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) August 15, 2020
15 August 2020 – a day of goodbyes in #cricket! #SureshRaina has joined #MSDhoni in his international retirement.
322 matches, 7988 runs, 48 stellar half centuries and 7x💯
Thank you, #Raina! You've been such a champion for 🇮🇳See you at the #IPL2020 @ImRaina 💜 pic.twitter.com/SufUCqPMfz
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) August 15, 2020
It's true, isn't it? 💔😢#DhoniRetires | #MSDhoni | 📸 – ICC pic.twitter.com/rxboYxIv0I
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) August 15, 2020
The helicopter has landed! #ThankYouDhoni pic.twitter.com/b1DmNvZzNp
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) August 15, 2020
From a boy-wonder to one of India's greatest! You made winning 🏆 a habit.
Happy retirement, @msdhoni 🇮🇳
📸: @crictoons #ThankYouDhoni pic.twitter.com/70KBl8uW6I
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) August 15, 2020
"कुछ लोग साथ आते हैं, ओर अपना फ़र्ज़ निभाते हैं और चले भी साथ जाते हैं! #MSधोनी_व_सुरेश रैना_अलविदा_क्रिकेट💐💐@msdhoni @ImRaina । क्रिकेट के मैदान पर आपकी सफलता युवाओं के लिए हमेशा प्रेरणादायी रहेगी।❤️❤️जय हिंद जय भारत 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/jOZLwtHrs2
— Bajrang Punia 🇮🇳 (@BajrangPunia) August 15, 2020
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