MS Dhoni steps down as Indian limited overs captain

MS Dhoni steps down as Indian limited overs captain

Photo: BCCI

New Delhi: In a shocking development, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has decided to step down as India limited overs captain. Though, he will be available for selection when the selectors sit to pick the squad for three ODIs and Three T20s against England on Friday. 

“#NEWS ALERT: Mahendra Singh #Dhoni steps down  as #captain of #TeamIndia. He will be available for selection for ODIs & T20s against England,” BCCI confirmed the news via this tweet. 

NEWS ALERT - Mahendra Singh #Dhoni steps down as #Captain of #TeamIndia. He will be available for selection for ODIs & T20Is vs England pic.twitter.com/2xM0eisdjq

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 4, 2017

The news came as a surprise because Dhoni is training with Jharkhand team in Nagpur, where his sate team was playing the Ranji Trophy semifinal against Gujarat. 

"Mahendra Singh Dhoni has informed the BCCI, that he wishes to step down as the captain of the Indian Cricket Team from the One Day Internationals and the T20 Internationals formats of the game," a statement from the board read.

"He will be available for the selection for the One Day and T20I series against England and the same has been conveyed to the Senior Selection Committee."

Commenting on the development, BCCI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rahul Johri said: "On behalf of every Indian cricket fan and the BCCI, I would like to thank M.S. Dhoni for his outstanding contribution as the captain of the Indian team across all formats."

"Under his leadership, Indian team has touched new heights and his achievements will remain etched forever in the annals of Indian cricket," he added.

Test skipper Virat Kohli is the front-runner to replace the Ranchi wicketkeeper-batsman at the helm.

Dhoni has captained India in a record 199 ODIs, the most by any Indian.