
Former Indian cricket captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has offered insights into his decision to retire from international cricket, disclosing that he had made up his mind after India’s defeat to New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup semifinal. He knew it would be his last appearance in the Indian colors.
In the 13 months following India’s heart-wrenching exit from the 2019 World Cup, Dhoni noticeably stayed away from the cricketing scene. He officially confirmed his retirement on August 15, 2020.
During an event in Bengaluru, Dhoni revealed that he had decided after the semifinal match that it marked his final appearance for India. He recalled, “It’s challenging to control your emotions when you lose a closely contested match. Deep inside, I had already made my decision. For me, that day was when I retired from cricket. I officially announced it a year later, but the truth is that I had retired that day.”
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Dhoni went on to describe the emotional turmoil and attachment he felt towards cricket. “Cricketers are provided with certain equipment and machinery, and every time I returned something to the trainer, I thought to myself, ‘How do I tell him I won’t be needing or using this anymore? I didn’t want to announce it at that moment.”
He continued, “You’re overwhelmed with emotions. For the past 12-15 years, all you’ve done is play cricket. Suddenly, you realize you won’t have the opportunity to represent your country anymore. Very few people get that chance. As sportspeople, we have it. Regardless of the sport, when you represent your country, it’s a significant moment. After retiring from cricket, I knew I wouldn’t be able to represent my country anymore. I couldn’t bring any more glory. All these thoughts were swirling in my mind.”
Despite retiring from international cricket, Dhoni continues to be an active player for the IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings. He led the team to their fifth IPL title in 2023, although a knee injury limited his batting appearances. He assured his fans of his return for the 2024 IPL season. Following CSK’s victory in the 2023 IPL, Dhoni underwent knee surgery.