Ravi Shastri believes MS Dhoni’s decision of retiring from Tests paid off

09/13/2017

After MS Dhoni's exceptional performance in Sri Lanka, Ravi Shastri has asserted that Dhoni’s decision of retire from Test cricket, in 2014, is paying off now. Dhoni scored 45*, 67*, and 49* in three consecutive innings against Sri Lanka to guide India to a historic 5-0 victory in the ODI series.

MS Dhoni's performances and place in the squad has come under a lot of scrutiny over the last few years as the former Indian captain failed to replicate his performances from yesteryear in the 50-over format. After Dhoni failed to take India home in the fourth ODI against West Indies despite staying for more than 34 overs, many had started sharpening their knives. But his performances, both with the bat and behind the stumps, in the recently concluded series against Sri Lanka seems to have quietened his critics.

Dhoni had retired from Test cricket in December 2014 as he wanted to concentrate on the the shorter formats of the game. Earlier this year, he surprised everyone by stepping down as the limited-overs skipper to made way for Virat Kohli. Indian cricket team head coach Shastri, however, believes that Dhoni’s decision was the right one and it has helped him regain his lost form.

"Dhoni is still the best wicketkeeper in the world and he is the quickest. The break from Test cricket has been great for Dhoni. He is an asset to the Indian team. He is an elder statesman in the dressing room," Shastri told India Today.

The 36-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has played 301 ODIs for India scoring 9658 runs and inflicted 100 stumpings.