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When Did MS Dhoni Retire From Test Cricket? Relive How Legend Shocked Cricket World

Jatin

MS Dhoni retired from Tests in 2014 [Source: @ICC/x.com]MS Dhoni retired from Tests in 2014 [Source: @ICC/x.com]

Cricket has its way of surprising us, and Ravichandran Ashwin gave fans one of those moments during the third Test against Australia in Brisbane. During a rain break, visuals of Virat Kohli hugging Ashwin in the dressing room had fans and commentators buzzing.

It wasn’t just a friendly chat as Ashwin looked emotional, and retirement rumours started flying left, right, and centre.

By the time Ashwin confirmed the news at the post-match press conference, it felt like a deja vu moment for Indian cricket. The chatter about Ashwin’s mid-series retirement brought back memories of MS Dhoni’s shocker back in 2014.

When MS Dhoni Quietly Walked Away From Test Cricket Mid-Series

As the visuals played out, Sunil Gavaskar couldn’t help but recall Dhoni’s Test retirement in the middle of the Australia series nearly a decade ago. 'It’s happened before,' Gavaskar said, reminding fans of Dhoni’s decision to call it quits after the third Test in Melbourne.

And he wasn’t wrong. MS Dhoni’s Test retirement was just as unexpected. One moment, India had drawn the Test. The next, Dhoni had walked away from the longest format without any fuss. The man always had a flair for doing things his own way.


Dhoni’s Silent Exit

Back in 2014, Dhoni stunned everyone by announcing his Test retirement out of nowhere. It came after a drawn game in Melbourne, where he finished unbeaten on 24 in his final innings. There were no big speeches or emotional farewells. Dhoni simply made the decision and handed over the captaincy to Virat Kohli.

Dhoni played 90 Tests, scoring 4,876 runs at an average of 38.09, and led India to the No. 1 Test ranking. But once he felt it was time, he stepped aside quietly. It was classic Dhoni—no drama, just action.

The Similarities Between the Two Moments

Both Dhoni and Ashwin’s retirements came mid-series. Both decisions took fans by surprise. And both times, it felt like the end of an era. Dhoni’s retirement paved the way for Kohli’s reign, and Ashwin’s exit will undoubtedly spark a transition for India’s bowling lineup.

Dhoni’s calm, no-frills farewell set a template for walking away on your own terms. Ashwin, while more emotional, followed a similar path as he left a legacy behind and letting the team look ahead.