MS Dhoni retires from Test cricket

Melbourne, Dec 30: In a surprising move, India captain MS Dhoni today retired from Test cricket. Virat Kohli will captain the side in the fourth and final Test in Sydney against Australia.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) today announced that Dhoni had chosen to retire from the five-day game. (What Dhoni discussed with BCCI before announcing retirement?)

"One of India's greatest Test Captains under whose leadership India became the No. 1 team in the Test Rankings MS Dhoni, has decided to retire from Test Cricket citing the strain of playing all formats of Cricket," BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said in a statement on Tuesday. (Gavaskar surprised by Dhoni's decision)

"MS Dhoni has chosen to retire from Test Cricket with immediate effect in order to concentrate on ODI and T20 formats. BCCI while respecting the decision of MS Dhoni to retire from Test Cricket, wishes to thank him for his enormous contribution to Test Cricket and the laurels that he has brought to India," Patel added.

"Virat Kohli will be the captain of the Indian Team for the Fourth and Final Test against Australia to be played in Sydney from the 6th of January 2015," he further stated. (Players' reactions)

The 33-year-old Dhoni played his last Test today at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) against Australia. He was 24 not out in his final innings as the game ended in a draw. Australia won the series 2-0 with fourth and final Test to begin in Sydney from January 6.

Dhoni, who made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Chennai in 2005, played in 90 matches. He ended his career with 4,876 runs (6 centuries, 33 fifties). He took 256 catches and effected 38 stumpings. He took India to the number one spot in ICC Test Rankings. He leaves the side when it has slumped to 6th in the world.