Sharad Pawar reminisces long association with MS Dhoni as former captain bids farewell

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Shar Pawar on Saturday heaped praises on former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his contribution to sport. two-time World Cup winner anunced his retirement from international cricket on Saturday via an Instagram post.

"Thanks a lot for ur love and support throughout. from 1929 hrs consider me as Retired (sic)", re his post of formal anuncement.

'His contribution to cricket is unique & inspiring'

Pawar, a former BCCI president took to Twitter said that in appointing MS Dhoni as captain "we were sure" he would be one of India's most successful captains. "His contribution to cricket is unique and inspiring, and his record exemplary. My good wishes will always be with him," Pawar ded.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar extended best wishes to cricketer.

MS Dhoni h earlier quit Test cricket in 2014 after Melbourne Test on tour of Australia and h handed over ODI and T20I captaincy to Virat Kohli in January 2017. However, Dhoni will le Chennai Super Kings in upcoming IPL 2020 which has been moved to UAE due to COVID pandemic.

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'It is an end of an era'

"It is end of an era," said BCCI president Sourav Ganguly. "What a player he has been for country and world cricket. His leership qualities have been something that will be hard to match, especially in shorter format of game. His batting in one-day cricket in his early sts me world stand up and tice his flair and sheer natural brilliance. Every good thing comes to an end and this has been an absolutely brilliant one. He has set standards for wicketkeepers to come and make a mark for country. He will finish with regrets on field. An outstanding career; I wish him best in life."

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Dhoni, an ODI legend signed off with 10,773 runs, averaging more than 50 despite batting between .5 and 7 for a major chunk of his career. In Test format, from which he retired in 2014, Dhoni accumulated 4876 runs at an aver of 38.09 and led India to more wins (27) than anyone else before him.

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However, runs are t parameter on which Dhoni's career can be truly judged. Considered a punter by some and a master strategist by several ors, it was Dhoni's captaincy, wondrous reing of match situations and jaw-dropping hand-speed behind stumps that h cricket world mesmerised.

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(With ncy inputs)