Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the former Indian cricket skipper, shared his heartbreaking decision to retire from international cricket after India’s 2019 World Cup loss to New Zealand. Dhoni revealed his decision during a Bengaluru event. But he did not announce it until August 15, 2020. Dhoni disclosed the turning point in the game, stating that losing a close contest made it challenging to handle emotions. He also discussed the internal conflict he was going through and how he decided to retire but wasn’t ready to make the announcement. Dhoni emphasized the emotional effect of retiring from international cricket. Despite quitting the national cricket team, Dhoni continued to appear for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL), helping them win its fifth championship in 2023.
MS Dhoni reveals the day he decided to retire: “That Day I had retired…”
Following India’s devastating loss to New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup semifinal, former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced his decision to retire from international cricket. On August 15, 2020, he made his retirement official.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni provided a private experience
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the former Indian cricket skipper, delivers a personal experience of the heartbreaking time he chose to step down from international cricket.
India lost to NZ in the semifinals of the 2019 World Cup
After India’s devastating loss to New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup semifinal, Dhoni revealed during a Bengaluru event that he decided to retire. However, he didn’t formally announce until August 15, 2020.
Cricket fans and the industry had to speculate about Dhoni’s future due to his quiet and lack of presence in the game during the 13 months that followed India’s World Cup exit.
MS Dhoni’s statement about that emotional day
MS Dhoni also disclosed the turning point in the game by stating, “After losing a close contest, it becomes challenging to handle your feelings. And within, I created my entire strategy. That, in my opinion, was my final day of cricket for India. Although I didn’t retire until a year later, the fact remains that I did so on that day.”
The former captain also spoke about the internal conflict he was going through and how he decided to retire but wasn’t ready to make the announcement. He talked about giving back cricket players’ equipment and the difficulty of telling the trainer he wouldn’t be using it.
The emotional effect of retiring
Dhoni emphasized the emotional effect of retiring from international cricket and said, “You are high on feelings. You haven’t done anything but play cricket for the past twelve to fifteen years. After that, you will no longer represent the nation. Though there are many, very few get that chance. Athletes possess that. Whatever sport you participate in, you are representing your nation.”
Dhoni continued to appear in the IPL
Dhoni continued to appear for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) even after quitting the national cricket team, helping the team win its fifth championship in 2023. But a knee injury ruined his tournament experience, preventing him from playing more than a few cameos at bat. Dhoni promised his supporters he would play in the IPL again in 2024. After CSK won, he had knee surgery.
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