Receiving My Test Cap From MS Dhoni Is The Moment I Would Cherish The Most: Stuart Binny

Former Indian cricketer Stuart Binny revealed that the best moment of his career was getting the Test cap from former Indian skipper MS Dhoni in 2014.

On Monday, the all-rounder announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after playing six Tests, 14 ODIs and three T20 Internationals in an international career that did not stretch beyond two years.

Receiving my Test cap from MS Dhoni is the moment I would cherish the most: Stuart Binny

Binny said that while Dhoni presented him his cap, the former skipper told him to believe in himself and express on the pitch to make the best of his Test career.

“I think my best moment from Indian cricket is when I received my Test cap from MS Dhoni at Nottingham. That’s the moment which I would cherish the most,” Binny told Asianet Newsable. 

“He [MS Dhoni] told me that I had deserved this opportunity and that I had performed consistently well in the Ranji Trophy for three-four seasons. And obviously, if you can do it in the Ranji Trophy, it is just a matter of believing that I could do well in Test cricket as well. He also assured me that I had the full support of the Indian team, and he wanted me to go out and express myself,” he added. 

I think I have reached a stage where cricket has become difficult for me because of the pandemic: Stuart Binny

Binny, who last played a T20I against West Indies in Florida, cited his lack of practice and the COVID-19 pandemic, which has interrupted most of the cricket operations, for the reason of his retirement.

“I think I have reached a stage where cricket has become difficult for me because of the pandemic. First and foremost, there was not enough cricket played in the last two years. And, to be a professional cricketer, you need to be playing cricket continuously and also practice regularly,” Binny said.

“Also, it is difficult to carry on as a cricketer if you are only practising and not getting game time. Thus, I felt that my best years had passed as a professional, and I also did not want to continue just because I loved playing it. I depended heavily on my performances as well, and I felt that it was the right time to make that decision (to retire),” he added. 

Binny scored 459 international runs and picked a total of 24 wickets from 23 matches across all formats.

Also Read: Stuart Binny Announces Retirement From All Forms Of Cricket