MS Dhoni debuted as a producer with Kabir Khan's Roar of the Lion. (Photo: Express Archive)Mahendra Singh Dhoni, lovingly called Mahi by fans, on Saturday announced his retirement from international cricket. Sharing a video on Instagram, he wrote, “Thanks a lot for ur love and support throughout. From 1929 hrs consider me as Retired.”
MS Dhoni, 39, is one of India’s most loved sportspersons. On the field, he was known for his calm demeanour and cool disposition even when things were not going his way.
Dhoni-led Indian cricket team won the first-ever Twenty20 World Cup held in 2007. In 2011, the Indian team won its second Cricket World Cup under his captaincy.
Apart from his captaincy, MS Dhoni was also known as one of the best wicket-keepers and a destructive finisher batsman in limited-overs cricket and led the team to several unlikely wins through his batting.
He also found success in the Indian Premier League, leading Chennai Super Kings to victory thrice.
Following the retirement announcement, celebrities expressed gratitude to Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his invaluable contribution to Indian cricket.
Thanking MS Dhoni in a tweet, Kamal Haasan wrote, "Dear @msdhoni Thank you for demonstrating how self-belief can help achieve in sports and life. Rising from a small town to being the hero of the nation, your calculated risks and calm demeanour will be missed by Team India. Glad that your love story with Chennai continues."
Film producer Bunty Walia shared, "Thank u for all the memories @mahi7781 All the best for the next chapter in your life! One of the greatest captain of india! #truepatriot #captaincool #msdhoni #matchwinner #bestfinisher #cricket #india #mahi #buntywalia."
Gaurav Kapoor tweeted, "The only thing that is predictable about him, is his unpredictability. You can try and guess what he will do post retirement, but statistically you’ve got a better chance of winning the lottery"
Sushant Singh Rajput's Instagram has video when he celebrated 3 years of MS Dhoni: The Untold Story's release. The actor had then shared a video and wrote along, "3 years of #msdhonitheuntoldstory ? I got up this morning and looked at myself through your eyes, and then looked back at you, with everything I understood I was.#selfmusing ???."
Writing a long post on cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni, actor Tanuj Virwani wrote, "Thank you Mahi for being not just a wonderful ambassador to the game I love so much,but being a true role model to millions of people-Both cricket and non cricket fans all over the world. You never demanded respect from any of your team mates or opponents,but you always commanded it.And that is your greatest triumph.That is your Lasting Legacy"
Kamya Punjabi took to Twitter and wrote, "It is an emotional moment #MSDhoniretires #Dhoni the papa of #Cricket Red heart we will miss you in Blue..!!! #msdhoniretirement"
Arjun Kapoor shared that Indian cricketer MS Dhoni is "the only man who left me star struck on and off the field."
Actor Farhan Akhtar wrote, "To not see @msdhoni in the India squad is going to take some getting used to. Thank you Mahi, for the years of cricket glory, great captaincy and nail biting finishes. Best of luck for all that awaits."
"Thank you for all the memories. We will surely miss you on field," Venkatesh Daggubati shared via Twitter.
Actor Akhil Akkineni thanked MS Dhoni for his contribution to Indian cricket. "Thank you captain cool for all the incredible memories. Your journey has not just impacted but changed Indian Cricket for the best. What a legend!" he tweeted.
In a tweet, SS Rajamouli expresssed, "You entertained us! You made us proud! More than that, by staying calm in nerve racking moments, you inspired us! This is a moment that is very hard to take... You will be a torchbearer for generations to come... @msdhoni Sir, Thank You..."
Namit Das posted a note on Instagram with a caption that read, "He came. He conquered. He left. We watched. We stayed. We lived our lives with him on our TV screens. Now we live with the memories."
Actor Anushka Shetty took to Instagram and posted an emotional note, which read, "You made us believe in the belief of being champions after champions, as a pride we owned every championships under you. ?You taught us how to make winning a habit... A signature habit indeed. You made every cricket fan's dream a reality and ended up putting us in the reality of your retirement?. Yes, it does hurt but still we are with you in believing that the seeds of inspiration, championship you sowed in young cricketers will grow up to be champions. Congratulations for your achievements and my Best Wishes for your Next innings MS Dhoni"
Siddhant Chaturvedi shared a picture paying tribute to the Indian cricketer duo Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina who announced their retirement from International cricket.
Vineet Kumar on Instagram wrote, "You have given us 1000 moments of happiness. So many times you have made the nation celebrate you, with you. Even though the time is changing, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, your story will stay eternal."
R Madhavan posted a picture with MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina with a caption that read, "Bro you always were super CLASSY, STYLISH AND HUMBLE. I have always admired you demure and grit. Aur the way you chose to say goodbye has touched my heart and left me teary-eyed. What an appropriate song you chose ....God bless you with the very best in the next phase of your life my bro.. This year has forced us to take a lot on our chin but this was one tough blow .. cricket will never be the same again for me"
Mahesh Babu in a tweet mentioned, "How can I ever forget the iconic sixer!! World cup champions 2011 India!! Was in the stands at Wankhede, proud and tears rolling down... Cricket will never be the same... Take a bow @msdhoni"
Radikaa Sarathkumar said, "You gave Captaincy a new meaning, your calmness and demeanour is an inspiration to many. Your game , you gave it all. With the same calmness you bid adieu. Miss you #msdhoni"
Abhishek Bachchan called Dhoni's retirement an end of an era. "Thank you @msdhoni for all the memories! All the best for your next innings. You filled a nation with belief and pride. One of the greatest of all time," he wrote.
Varalakshmi Sarathkumar took to Twitter and wrote, "What can you say about a man like @msdhoni ...all we can say is Thank you for the cricket..thank you for making us proud..thank you for entertaining us with your every breath..there will never be another you..and u will always be our captain..we love you #dhoni."
Anushka Sharma took to her Instagram stories and wrote, "Thank you MSD for the memories that we will never forget."
Nakuul Mehta tweeted, "Saw this coming but still hard not to well up thinking about how he made your lives so much more joyful & beautiful with the way he played the game. Thank you @msdhoni"
Sidharth Shukla posted on Twitter, "There will be a lot of players & captains bt there can never b another #Dhoni..D man who always lead frm d front ..many play fr records you played to win and made records....India will miss you terribly.Thank you #MSDhoni & #Raina for your immense contribution to Team India!"
Renuka Shahane mentioned on Twitter, "#MSDhoni ? Dear @msdhoni you will always be respected & loved for the exemplary manner in which you have lead our Indian team. You will always be remembered & missed on the field. Salute. Thank you for an extraordinary innings."
Nivin Pauly took to Twitter and wrote, "Legends don’t retire! Thank you for the beautiful memories! You will be forever my captain! #ThankYouDhoni"
Priyadarshan shared on Twitter, "As long as cricket and Dhoni is there he will never b able to retire from the mind of millions of people like me who admire his contributions to the world of cricket #DhoniRetires #Dhoni #msdhoni"
"Nooooo!!! You’ve always known the best ..Thanks for the entertainment ?? #Dhoni #MSDhoni," Randeep Hooda said via Twitter.
Divya Dutta tweeted, "#Dhoni retires!! Thankyou captain for making us proud always!! Ever dependable!! Amazing memories !! You be done India proud!! Keep inspiring us!!"
MS Dhoni's retirement took the cricket world by surprise on Saturday evening when he made the announcement on his official Instagram account.
Read | ‘Legend retires in his own style’: Cricket fraternity reacts to MS Dhoni’s retirement
Armaan Malik shared on Twitter, "Indian cricket will never be the same without you @MSDhoni sir. You inspired a generation of youngsters to follow their dreams and never give up. Thank you for all the precious memories. May your 2nd innings be as amazing as your first. Love and respect ??"
Mohit Raina posted on Instagram, "No7 for life ??Maahi Maaaaaaarrrrrrrrr Raha hai."
Pranitha Subhash mentioned, "MS Dhoni retires from international cricket! Thank you for being the source of happiness and pride for the last 16 years for every Indian! This is going to be hard. #MSDhoni #Mahi"
Aamir Ali took to Twitter and wrote, "Will miss u in blue #Dhoni ..one of de beat captain of all time and certainly the best best finisher #legend #Cricket #MSDhoni #mahendrasinghdhoni"
"Possibly the best captain India ever had ??? Thank you @msdhoni for being the legend that you are! ?," Milap Zaveri said via Twitter.
Srinivas tweeted, "Thala MSD retires from international cricket .. That’s the way he has always been . He knows when to go.. All good things have to come to an end one day but will remember the fireworks and the energy that he gave us .. Of course he will continue to blast at the IPL i hope"
Maanvi Gagroo shared on Twitter, "Thank you @msdhoni for the helicopter shots, the mindblowing wicket keeping, the fantastic captaincy, the heartwarming sportsmanship & for arousing my interest in the game. #dhoniretires #JerseyNo7 ?"
Aju Varghese posted on Twitter, "Legend retires!!! The man who made history!! One of the best captain in world cricket! The best keeper in world!!! What an epic career and class records!!! Bow! 15.08.2020 #MSDhoni"