The only captain to have won all the ICC trophies be it the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 World Cup or 2013 Champions Trophy, Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket on Saturday.

Many speculations were doing rounds in the cricketing world regarding the legend’s retirement for over a year now. Finally, putting an end to all the speculations and rumors surrounding his future, Dhoni quietly walked away from the gentleman’s game by making an announcement via his official Instagram handle.

The Ranchi Stalwart wrote, “Thanks. Thanks a lot for ur love and support throughout. From 19:29 hrs consider me as retired”

View this post on Instagram

Thanks a lot for ur love and support throughout.from 1929 hrs consider me as Retired

A post shared by M S Dhoni (@mahi7781) on Aug 15, 2020 at 7:01am PDT

The news came as a shocker for many as his fans believed that the veteran cricketer would make a comeback to the Indian cricket team after performing in the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League as Chennai Super Kings’ captain.

The former Indian captain had taken an indefinite sabbatical from the game right after the semi-final match of World Cup 2019 and hasn’t played a single match since then. Also, he was removed from BCCI’s list of contracted players earlier this year.

All being said, Dhoni’s retirement from international cricket can be considered as an end of a glorious era of Indian cricket. From a small-town boy from Ranchi, Dhoni went on to become India’s most decorated wicketkeeper and captain. He is hailed as one of the best captains and finishers to have embraced the modern game of cricket.

Cricketers around the world react to the news

In his golden career of 15 years, Dhoni has given numerous good memories to the Indian cricket fans to cherish for life. His iconic six at Wankhede Stadium on April 2, 2011, and knock of 91 not out in the final will always be remembered as one of the brilliant knocks in cricket history.

In an international career that spanned from 2004 to 2019, MS Dhoni scored more than 16,000 international runs and has more than 800 dismissals in international cricket under his name. From Sachin Tendulkar to Irfan Pathan, cricketers took to Twitter to react to the news.

Here are the best tweets from cricketers around the world on MS Dhoni’s retirement

Your contribution to Indian cricket has been immense, @msdhoni. Winning the 2011 World Cup together has been the best moment of my life. Wishing you and your family all the very best for your 2nd innings. pic.twitter.com/5lRYyPFXcp

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 15, 2020

Greatest Captain of India and one of the best finisher in the world.
It's end of an era.
Thanks @msdhoni for all the memorable moment's.

Helicopter shots will be missed…..#DhoniRetires

— 𝑫𝒊𝒎𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝑲𝒂𝒓𝒖𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒏𝒂 (@IamDimuth) August 15, 2020

Wishing @msdhoni happy retirement!! Players like him are rare , always in control , did everything right for Indian cricket . An apt example of peter parker principle ……… well done #MSDhoni 🇮🇳

— Mithun Manhas (@MithunManhas) August 15, 2020

Not an azaadi cricket lovers wanted from.
Thank you for the innumerable memories together and wish you a great and equally inspiring life ahead. https://t.co/WtT0Xd3A8H

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 15, 2020

From “India A” to “The India” our journey has been full of question marks, commas, blanks & exclamations. Now as you put a full stop to your chapter, I can tell u from experience that the new phase is as exciting and there’s no limit to DRS here!!! Well played @msdhoni @BCCI

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) August 15, 2020

For Indian Cricket, some shoes will never be filled. One of them is Mahi bhai #MSDhoni #dhoniretires pic.twitter.com/SRcsA3E0jq

— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) August 15, 2020

Captain. Leader. Legend. Thanks Mahi bhai for everything you have done for the country! 🇮🇳 #MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/IhcF6FAicL

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) August 15, 2020

Jersey number 7 was not just a number but an emotion the country is going to miss #champion #Inspiration @msdhoni 🙏🏻

— Rahul Chahar (@rdchahar1) August 15, 2020

History has a long list of legends who made a mark on something special. MS Dhoni enters that list. Thanks for the great memories. #cricket. https://t.co/mHj850wjj3

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) August 15, 2020

It was a privilege to have played with a friend and a cricketer who gave many laurels to our country on the cricketing field, very very greatly done on your career @msdhoni #dhoniretires pic.twitter.com/ksfbedyDnQ

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) August 15, 2020

Congratulations on a wonderful career @msdhoni !You were one of the best captains ever to step onto a cricket field & I m blessed to have shared some special moments with you! I wish you and your family the same success in your next innings! #MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/uH0qoJcNyi

— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) August 15, 2020

Never a conformist , always did things his way and his retirement is no different . आप ' पल दो पल के शायर 'से कई गुना ज़्यादा हैं और रहेंगे दोस्त । Thank you for so many lovely memories . Was an honour to play with and against you 🙏 @msdhoni

— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) August 15, 2020

Our captain cool retires from International cricket today, bringing an era to an end. Undoubtedly the champion of champions and an incredible human being. You will be missed @msdhoni bhaiya. Thank you for all the memories. #MSDhoni

— Rahul Chahar (@rdchahar1) August 15, 2020

The legend retires in his own style as always, @msdhoni bhai you have given it all for the country. The champions trophy triumph, 2011 World Cup and the glorious @ChennaiIPL triumphs will always be etched in my memory. Good luck for all your future endeavours. #MSDhoni

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) August 15, 2020

Always Carefree…never careless. Understood the importance of ‘moments’ but never got overawed by them. Redefined wicket keeping….mastered the art of finishing. An end of an era. MSD, one of the finest the world has seen. Or will ever see. Go well 🙌🙏 #MSDhoni

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 15, 2020

The 2011 World Cup win was @sachin_rt farewell but masterminded by MS Dhoni … What an incredible international career … You could argue the greatest ever white ball captain & finisher … Cheers for all the memories MS 👍👍

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 15, 2020

What 😱😢😩 https://t.co/aTD6sWvdzw

— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) August 15, 2020