DHONI STEPS DOWN FROM LIMITED-OVER CAPTAINCY
Mahendra Singh Dhoni sprang a surprise on Wednesday by stepping down as India’s limited-over captain, an abrupt end to his cricket leadership tenure.
Dhoni, 35, under whom India had won two World Cups and a Champions Trophy title, relinquished the captaincy barely 11 days before one-day international (ODI) series against England.
This paves the way for Test captain Virat Kohli to take over the limited-over team.
Dhoni conveyed to the selection committee he would be available for selection as a player for the three ODIs and as many T20s against England, starting January 15.
In his unfinished limited overs career, Dhoni has scored 9110 runs in 283 ODIs, at an average of 50.89, with 183 not out being his highest score.
Besides, the wicket-keeper batsman has made 1,112 runs from 73 T20 Internationals.
Dhoni’s decision came a day after removal of Anurag Thakur and Ajay Shirke as president and secretary of the BCCI by the Supreme Court for failing to implement the Lodha Committee recommendations.
Rahul Johri, chief executive officer of the BCCI said, “On behalf of every Indian cricket fan and BCCI, I would like to thank MS Dhoni for his outstanding contribution as captain of the Indian team across all formats.
“Under his leadership, the Indian team has touched new heights and his achievements will remain etched forever in the annals of Indian cricket.”
Dhoni, had suddenly quit Test captaincy during the Australia tour in 2014 in Melbourne.
He has been India’s most successful captain. Under his leadership, India won the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, the ICC ODI World Cup in 2011, ICC Champions Trophy in 2013 and also reached the top of the Test rankings in 2009. it looks to reduce litigation by providing certainty in transfer pricing. The three APAs signed pertain to engineering goods and shipping sectors of the economy. The international transactions covered in these agreements include intragroup services and support services, an official statement said.