Mumbai, February 15, 2026 (Udaipur Kiran): Nearly nine years after MS Dhoni stepped down as India’s limited-overs captain, former selector Jatin Paranjape has revealed that the decision was not entirely voluntary.
Dhoni had suddenly relinquished the ODI and T20 captaincy in January 2017, a move that had surprised fans and the cricketing fraternity. He had already retired from Test cricket two years earlier and eventually bid farewell to international cricket in 2020. Widely regarded as one of India’s greatest cricketers, Dhoni remains the only captain to have won all three major ICC white-ball titles — the T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup and Champions Trophy.
Speaking on ‘The Great Indian Cricket Show’, Paranjape shared that the then chief selector MSK Prasad and he had approached Dhoni to discuss the leadership transition.
Recalling the moment, Paranjape said Dhoni was batting during a practice session when they decided to speak with him. “We had prepared how to convey the message in the most respectful manner. We went up to Mahi and told him that we felt it was the right time to move forward,” he said. According to Paranjape, Dhoni accepted the decision calmly and gracefully.
He further revealed that Dhoni responded positively to the selectors’ suggestion. “He told MSK, ‘Anna, this is absolutely the right decision. Tell me what you want me to do.’ He was asked to put it in writing that he was ready to step aside. Later that night, we received an email from Dhoni stating that he wished to resign,” Paranjape said.
The former selector admitted that the decision had drawn criticism at the time but maintained that such tough calls are sometimes necessary in team management.
After Dhoni stepped down, Virat Kohli took full charge of the Indian team across formats. Kohli was already leading the Test side and later captained India in the 2019 ODI World Cup in England, where Dhoni played under his leadership.
The revelation has once again brought focus to a significant transition phase in Indian cricket, highlighting how the leadership baton was passed from one iconic captain to another.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
