Year in Review 2020, Biggest Sports Stories: Mahendra Singh Dhoni retires from international cricket
FirstpostEnd of an era is a phrase that gets thrown around rather lavishly in the modern-day lexicon, but hardly ever did it feel any more appropriate than MS Dhoni’s retirement. On the evening of 16 August, without letting as much as a whiff, Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced his retirement with an amateurish Instagram video, captioned with now legendary words, “from 1929 hrs consider me as Retired.” End of an era is a phrase that gets thrown around rather lavishly in the modern-day lexicon, but hardly ever did it feel any more appropriate. There was a showreel of emotions that his Instagram video set in motion – his humble beginnings, the career-defining ton against Pakistan, the madcap assault on Sri Lanka, the fickle fans burning his effigy, the ascent to becoming the Test No 1, the World Cup-winning six at Wankhede… Dhoni’s cricketing odyssey was not a trial of his character and skills alone. Mahendra Singh Dhoni can look back at his incredible journey with a familiar smirk and allow himself a long, satisfying ride on one of his many sports bikes.