MS Dhoni: No more the Indian Skipper

"Mahendra Singh Dhoni", Ask anyone they would say he is the skipper of the Indian Team... Well, that's not anymore. The most successful Indian captain is now just another player in the side after he resigned his captaincy just like he does, "when no one expected him to"

He is the 3rd skipper on the list of most matches as captain...

Now look at that number-199. It is also a Dhoni-like... He did not care that 1 more match would mean his 200th match as skipper... he thought it is time to pass the baton, he passed it... The Dhoni-way...

He is also the most capped captain in the T20I matches in the world...

As a captain who won almost all titles India dreamt of... A World Cup, A Champions Trophy, A T20 World Cup, The CB series, Series wins in NZL, ENG, WIN and almost a one in SA... and would just stand in the side... has now chosen to stand by side of the new captain...

How did he fare after the Test retirement on 30th Dec 2014?

ODI

T20I

The one in the black is post his Test retirement that is 2015 and 2016 in which, in an attempt to focus on his limited overs skills, he was below par in the ODI and better in T20I. There were no 100s in ODIs, but that is not a main thing considering his batting position, but the average comes into the question which is well below his career average. His T20 stats have improved though now he is hitting much harder than before..

This could also be a reason why Dhoni relinquished the captaincy, to focus a lot more on his batting skills with the 2019 World Cup in mind.

Now that he has resigned, it gives the captaincy post to the next probable candidate which is Virat Kohli... Well he too has a decent record as a captain

For the last 1 year India had been through and through one-man and it's Virat Kohli... and his success in the longer format also may be given a thought to him that he is ready for the next level...

But the timing in which Dhoni has given it up remains debatable... on one side you say it's too late in the CT'17 point of view, but on the other is a good move considering only 2 years more for the 2019 World Cup... 

There can be also another speculation surrounding that Rishabh Pant may be chosen for the ODI side now and Dhoni will groom his keeping skills and leave the arena... just like the way he does...

Whatever speculation surrounds will be answered in the next 6-8 months, it is just the indication that MS Dhoni is giving that the end is near... and for all MSD fans... "Enjoy the Helicopter shots and the powerful bottom-hand strokes till it lasts"

Stats Source: ESPN Cricinfo

Guha Karthikeyan S T