Indian cricket team former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Thursday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for acknowledging and appreciating his contribution towards Indian cricket. Team India's most successful captain, Dhoni, announced his retirement from international cricket via Instagram on India's 74th Independence Day.
"On 15th August, in your trademark unassuming style you shared a short video that was enough to become a long and passionate discussion point for the entire nation," Modi said in a letter addressed to Dhoni.
"130 crore Indians were disappointed but also eternally grateful for all that you have done for Indian cricket in the last decade-and-a-half," he added.
Team India's former wicket-keeper batsman and appreciated PM Modi and replied with a tweet: "An Artist, soldier and sportsperson what they crave for is appreciation, that their hard work and sacrifice is getting noticed and appreciated by everyone. Thanks PM @narendramodi for your appreciation and good wishes."
Dhoni announced his retirement on Instagram by posting a emotional 4-minute long video. The retirement post by Dhoni did not mention the formats he is retiring from, but the veteran will be seen leading the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2020, scheduled to take place in United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 19.
Following his CSK captain, Suresh Raina too announced his retirement from international cricket and also congratulated Dhoni on his incredible cricketing career.
Raina also revealed why he and Dhoni chose to announce retirement on August 15.
"We had made up our minds to retire on August 15. Mahi Bhai’s jersey number is 7 and mine is 3 and put it together and it makes 73. And on Saturday, our country completed 73 years of independence, so there couldn't have been a better day,” Suresh Raina told Dainik Jagran.
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