IPL 2024: MS Dhoni Reveals He Had Decided In 2019 That The ICC World Cup Will See His Last Match In International Cricket

Cricketing legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni, fondly known as ‘Captain Cool,’ recently shed light on the emotional journey he undertook when he retired from international cricket. Speaking about his retirement during a candid conversation, Dhoni revealed that he had mentally said his goodbyes to the game much earlier, making it an intensely personal and emotional moment.

MS Dhoni, who is celebrated as one of the greatest cricketing captains in history, retired from international cricket in August 2020, leaving millions of fans and cricket aficionados in shock. While he officially announced his retirement then, it turns out that he had decided to step away from the international stage long before that date.

The crux of his emotional journey lies in the internal conflict he experienced between his deep-rooted connection to the sport and his desire to represent his country. Dhoni expressed, “It is difficult to converge emotions when you lose a close game, and all my planning is done inside.” This inner turmoil stemmed from the realization that the day he retired marked the end of his journey representing India on the cricket field, a moment that carried profound significance.

MS Dhoni further elaborated on how he knew he was done with international cricket but chose not to announce it immediately. He reminisced about the equipment he returned to the trainer, which symbolized his decision to move on from the sport. “I was thinking that how am I supposed to tell him that I don’t need it as I won’t be using it,” Dhoni recalled. This internal struggle mirrored the sentiments of a sportsperson who had given his all to represent his nation on the global stage.

Watch: MS Dhoni Talking About The Day He Played His Last International Game

MS Dhoni talking about his final day of International career.

– A sad day in indian cricket history…..!!!!pic.twitter.com/QqaRCsYzIO

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 26, 2023

Representing one’s country in sports is a privilege that only a select few are granted. Dhoni acknowledged this and expressed how profound it was to wear the Indian jersey and bring glory to the nation on the international stage. “When you go to play, you are representing your country,” he emphasized. Whether it was in the Commonwealth Games, Olympics, or ICC tournaments, every moment he spent on the field was an opportunity to make India proud.

As MS Dhoni officially bid farewell to his international career, he realized that he was no longer going to represent his country in the cricketing arena. However, he has not announced his retirement from IPL yet. This transition from a celebrated cricketer to a regular Indian citizen was an emotional rollercoaster for him. It marked the end of an era in Indian cricket, as Dhoni, a symbol of calm and composure, walked away from the sport that had defined him for over a decade.

MS Dhoni’s candid revelations provide a glimpse into the deeply personal and emotional journey that accompanied his international retirement. However the ‘Captain Cool’ is still not done yet as he is gearing up to play for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2024.