Ravi Shastri explains MS Dhoni's decision to retire from Test cricket

Shastri believes that Dhoni took the correct decision by handing over the reigns to Virat Kohli

Team India director Ravi Shastri has revealed his take on MS Dhoni’s sudden from Test retirement last year, IBNLive reports. The 53-year-old believes that Dhoni made the right call as Virat Kohli was ready to take on the skipper’s role and also felt that the move would help prolong Dhoni’s career in the other formats of the game.

Dhoni took everyone by surprise by announcing his decision to retire from the longer format of the game during India’s tour to Australia last year. The move invited criticism from several quarters with many feeling that the then skipper opted the wrong time to make his retirement while some opined that Dhoni should have continued in the Test team in a player’s capacity.

Shastri, who has remained silent on the issue till now, has now opened up on his assessment as to why Dhoni took the call to retire.

"Now if you think back, you will know why he made that decision. It was a good decision because it was clear in everyone's mind, across the media, that this [Kohli] is your future captain and let him captain in that last Test match in Australia so that all speculation goes to rest," Shastri said.

"I think that was one of the reasons why MS decided to quit. You know he realised that there are three formats of the game. It is becoming hard for him. But at the same time he knew there was someone ready."

Critics had pointed that the sudden move was as a result of dressing room conflicts between two of India’s most popular cricket figures at present, but Shastri said that the wicket-keeper was simply offering his full backing for his successor.

"You know the obvious choice was Virat but by announcing his retirement, he made it clear that 'I believe this guy is ready and he needs a run'," said the former allrounder.

Kohli won his first Test match as skipper in the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka recently and Shastri believes that the 26-year-old will lead India to glory in the coming years.

"It is still early days, but you will see it [success] in time. Each captain has his own style. You can see with Virat like I said before, he is pretty much in your face. He will play to win, and he will want to be positive all the time. There will be intent in anything he does," Shastri said.