MS Dhoni is India’s most accomplished captain. The modern-day legend remains the only skipper in international cricket to win all three ICC trophies. But, at some point, India had to move on from Dhoni. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had already earmarked Virat Kohli as his successor.
After Dhoni had retired from Test cricket in 2014, Kohli had assumed his role as red-ball captain. Dhoni was already 33 by then. BCCI wanted to hand the reins to Kohli. They finally decided to make the move in 2017, two years before the next ODI World Cup.
MS Dhoni’s pragmatic approach
Jatin Paranjpe, who was a member of the selection committee from 2016 to 2017, narrates how Dhoni felicitated the then chief selector MSK Prasad to make the important move for the betterment of Indian cricket.
“Mahi (Dhoni) was batting. He kept batting for an hour, and MSK and I were just looking at each other. We had prepared how to tell him in the most respectful way,” Paranjpe said on The Great Indian Cricket Show.
Dhoni, known for his pragmatism, knew Kohli had to take over since the end of his career was close. He wasn’t offended by the proposition and wrote to the BCCI that same night, announcing his decision to step down.
So we went to him and said, ‘You know, Mahi, I think it’s the right time to move on.’ He told MSK, ‘Anna, this is the perfect decision. Let me know what you want from me.’ MSK told him that he will have to put it in writing that you are ready to move on. He said, ‘Alright, I will do it.’ Late at night, we received an email: ‘I would like to step down.’ We had to make this decision. We were criticised for it as well, but these are the tough decisions that you have to take,” he added.
Paranjpe also shared that Dhoni, who had already been grooming Kohli for several years by this point, reassured them that he would do everything in his power to help Kohli be the best leader for India going forward.
“He also said, ‘Don’t worry. I will work completely with Virat. He is like my brother. I will do everything that is required of me for him. Whatever experience I have, I will give it to him. And we’ll make a good team’,” Paranjpe concluded.
