Mahendra Singh Dhoni retires from test Cricket Mahendra Singh Dhoni retires from test Cricket

While M S Dhoni’s decision to quit Test cricket may have come as a bolt from the blue, many in the Indian camp revealed that over the last few weeks, he had been dropping hints about this being his last series.

It is learnt, however, that the nudge which hastened his dramatic move was the changing equations in the Indian dressing room. It started with the increasing closeness between Virat Kohli, who took over his captaincy for the first Test in Adelaide, and team director Ravi Shastri. This diminished the influence of coach Duncan Fletcher, who has a great working relationship with Dhoni. While Fletcher has been sidelined, Shastri has established an overbearing presence over all matters, including team decisions.

India’s captain MS Dhoni, left, shakes hands with Australia’s Chris Rogers at the end of the final day of their cricket test match in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014. (AP Photo) India’s captain MS Dhoni, left, shakes hands with Australia’s Chris Rogers at the end of the final day of their cricket test match in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014. (AP Photo)

This was a completely different culture to the one that Dhoni had harnessed over a lengthy reign as Indian Test captain. He had formed an intrinsic bond with the elusive Fletcher and created a team atmosphere that was themed on his own personality. He had gotten used to running his ship in his own inimitable style.

What hasn’t helped matters is the firebrand cricket that India played in this series, along with the in-your-face aggression that led to a number of skirmishes on the field — both in contrast to the Dhoni doctrine. While he hasn’t been very vocal against it, the now former Indian Test captain has repeatedly asked for calmer heads.

Signs were there that the current captain was ready to pass on the baton to his successor. (Source: Reuters file) Signs were there that the current captain was ready to pass on the baton to his successor. (Source: Reuters file)

After the Adelaide Test, where Kohli came close to helping India cross the line in a landmark run chase, there were many calls to adopt the new and fresh approach being bred by the Kohli-Shastri partnership. Dhoni was never going to buy into this. And he probably thought the best way out was to get out of the way.

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