Is MS Dhoni Retired from All Formats of Cricket?

Yes, in 2020, Mahendra Singh Dhoni formally announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket. Dhoni played his last international matches on 15 August 2020, concluding a remarkable career that spanned over 16 years and involved 350 one-day internationals (ODIs) and 98 Twenty20 internationals (T20Is).

The Final Matches

In May 2019, Dhoni completed a significant milestone when he played his 350th ODI in India’s semi-final match against New Zealand. The final match in his ODI career came on 10 July 2019, in a World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, which India ultimately lost by a narrow 18-run margin.

International Career Highlights

As India's captain, Dhoni led the team to victory in the first edition of the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, where he beat Pakistan in the final with a signature six that became legendary. He then led India to victory in the 2011 Cricket World Cup, ending a 28-year wait for India, and won the 2013 Champions Trophy. Dhoni completed his unprecedented 'treble' of global tournaments under his leadership.

ODI and T20I Records

Across his 16-year international cricket career, Dhoni appeared in 350 ODIs, scoring 10773 runs at a strike rate of 50.57, with 10 centuries. In T20Is, he scored 1617 runs at a batting average of 37.60 in 98 matches. Dhoni was one of only five Indians to join the 10,000-run club for ODIs.

Captaincy and Cricketing Style

While Dhoni’s batting style evolved, especially in Test cricket, he remained a crucial figure in the middle order and the team’s leading wicket-keeper. He scored 4876 runs in 90 Tests at a strike rate of 38.09. Dhoni’s unique captaincy style, marked by unconventional and instinctive tactics, became a cornerstone for India’s rise as a dominant force in white-ball cricket.

Retirement Announcement and IPL

Dhoni’s retirement announcement was made on 15 August 2020, in a typically understated and unexpected manner. He ended his international career just as India was preparing for the upcoming 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL), which was set to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Despite retiring from international cricket, Dhoni was still anticipated to represent Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.

Legacy

Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s legacy in cricket is immense. He built a reputation as one of the greatest finishers in modern-day limited-overs cricket and one of the sharpest cricketing minds. Behind the stumps, he was a swift stumper with an excellent catching style. His contributions to Indian cricket, both as a player and a captain, are unparalleled, and his retirement marked the end of an era in international cricket.