Fact Check: Has MS Dhoni Really Retired From International Cricket

MS Dhoni fans across the country woke up to a very startling news on Tuesday as the former India skipper’s name was trending all over Twitter. Many started giving tributes to the legendary player as #dhoniretires started trending worldwide. There was confusion all around as many fans wanted to know the truth behind the trend and what triggered it.

The speculations are rife over his retirement ever since the World Cup ended in July. MS Dhoni has not played a competitive game since the end of the tournament. At first, there were reports that MS Dhoni would hang up his boots at the end of India’s campaign in the tournament.

The 38-year old, however, left everyone surprised by taking a sabbatical from the game and then went on to extend it. There was absolutely no clarity over his future as neither him, nor the the selectors made things clear. MS Dhoni missed the tour of West Indies and then the home series against South Africa but still remained in the spotlight.

Also Read: #DhoniRetires: MS Dhoni Trending As Twitter Gets Flooded With Tribute For Ex-India Captain

Well, things became a bit clear last week when the MSK Prasad-led selection panel announced the T20I and the Test squads for the upcoming series against Bangladesh. Prasad made it clear that the selectors are moving on from Dhoni and will try out youngsters. Consequently, they retained Rishabh Pant in the team and recalled Sanju Samson as a backup.

And amidst all these, the trend on Twitter made many confused as well as fear for the worst. In fact, many fans believed that Dhoni has retired as they gave him tribute on Twitter. However, the trend is nothing more than a hoax and a rumour as MS Dhoni has not retired yet. Neither MS Dhoni nor the BCCI has given any statement on the same.

This is not the first time that something like this has happened. A few weeks ago too, Dhoni’s retirement started trending on Twitter after Virat Kohli posted a old picture of himself and Dhoni. Later, Dhoni’s wife, Sakshi Dhoni had to come out to clear the rumour.