The Indian cricket board (BCCI) wanted MS Dhoni to continue as the Test captain even after the Australian tour. Sources said discussions were on between the Indian captain and the board for some time.
“BCCI wasn’t ready to allow Dhoni to give up Test captaincy and as a player. But how long can you sustain when he is not willing to lead in Test cricket. He was adamant. He had enough of Test cricket,” a top BCCI official told Dr Cricket.
He is looking at the shorter format and beyond 2015 World Cup, which includes T20 cricket. BCCI is now confident that Dhoni will continue to play for India in ODI and T20 for next three to four years.
Apparently, Dhoni wasn’t happy the way he was portrayed as a fall guy after India lost any series away from home. “Earlier, he was very determined to leave after the fourth Test, but wanted to see if India could win the Melbourne Test. Since that didn’t happen, he wasn’t ready to play Test cricket,” the official said while adding that the board wanted Dhoni to play Test cricket for at least two years.
But Dhoni was keen to pass on the baton to Virat Kohli. It was also reliably learnt that even Dhoni’s teammates were surprised to hear about his retirement plan with immediate effect. Some of them even tried to convince him to reconsider his decision. By that time, Dhoni had already made up his mind to quit. “He is a big-hearted cricketer and he showed it today,” the official added.
