Mahendra Singh Dhoni has stepped down as captain of the Indian team. He will, however, 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. The committee will meet on Friday (January 06) to select the team for the three-match ODI series against England.
Although the next captain was not announced, Virat Kohli, currently captaining the Test team, will take over the mantle.
Dhoni has unprecedented success as a limited overs captain, winning the World T20 in 2007, the ICC World Cup in 2011 and the Champions Trophy 2013.
"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," Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a release.
Mr Rahul Johri, Chief Executive Officer of the BCCI said, "On the behalf of every Indian cricket fan and the BCCI, I would like to thank MS 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."
Having made his international debut in 2004, Dhoni quickly rose up the ranks in Indian cricket. He was named captain of the T20I side in 2007 and had a massive impact as he led the team to the World T20 title. He then became the ODI captain after Rahul Dravid relinquished the post, and eventually, ascended to full-time Test captaincy once current India coach, Anil Kumble retired.
He relinquished Test captaincy and retired from the longest form of the game in 2014 but continued to captain the side in limited overs. He holds the record for most matches as captain of an international side, with 331 games across formats.
His last series as captain came against New Zealand at home, where he led the Indian side to a 3-2 series win.
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