Unpredictable MS Dhoni resigns as India's ODI, T20I skipper: Twitterati stumped

New Delhi, Jan 4: In a shocking announcement ahead of the series against England, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has stepped down as India's limited overs captain on Wednesday (Jan 4).

MS Dhoni quits as India's limited overs captain; Ind-Eng series schedule

MS Dhoni, however, will be available for selection as a player for the home series against England. Test skipper Virat Kohli will now lead the Indian side in limited overs format as well.

Unpredictable MS Dhoni resigns as India's ODI, T20I skipper: Twitterati stumped — File photo: MS Dhoni

Dhoni is India's most successful captain across all formats and one of the greatest captain in the limited overs format.

Dhoni is the only captain in history to have won all three International Cricket Council's (ICC) global trophies - World Twenty20, World Cup and Champions Trophy.

The senior selection committee of the BCCI will pick the One Day International and Twenty20 International squads on Friday (January 6). The 3-match India-England ODI series starts in Pune on January 15.

Dhoni's decision ahead of the ODI series came as a surprise to the cricketing fraternity and fans. Dhoni had resigned as India's Test skipper during Test series against Australia in Australia.

Here's how Twitterati reacted on Dhoni's surprise decision:

NEWS ALERT - Mahendra Singh #Dhoni steps down as #Captain of #TeamIndia. He will be available for selection for ODIs & T20Is vs England pic.twitter.com/2xM0eisdjq
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 4, 2017

BCCI makes the big announcement

Dhoni is India's most successful captain across all formats and one of the greatest captain in the limited overs format.

.@msdhoni #captain pic.twitter.com/8IFLI8geRE
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 4, 2017

Sachin Tendulkar

This is what India's biggest cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar congratulated MS Dhoni for his incredible captaincy career.

Hey @msdhoni yuv been one of the finest leaders of Indian Cricket @BCCI, led the team to great heights & inspired so many across countries! pic.twitter.com/2SQMU8T6CX
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) January 4, 2017

Anurag Thakur

This is what former BCCI chief Anurag Thakur had to say.

Take a bow @msdhoni .To lead India for 9 years with such wonderful results, India were really blessed to have you as #Captain .
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 4, 2017

Mohammad Kaif

This is how former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif hailed Dhoni.

World T20, World Cup, Champions Trophy, Test No 1, IPL titles, Champions League titles. Everything in the game. #Dhoni
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 4, 2017

Harsha Bhogle

This is what senior commentator Harsha Bhogle had to say.

#ThankyouDhoni 4 ur gr8 service to Team #India as Captain.. Captains may come and go.. But u r a Legendary Leader! pic.twitter.com/I7CWE1oeRu
— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) January 4, 2017

Dhoni: India's most successful captain

Fan hails MS Dhoni for his remarkable contribution.

MS Dhoni as captain...
60 in Tests (6th most!)
199 in ODIs (3rd most!)
72 in T20Is (most!)
331 in all internationals (most!)
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 4, 2017

MS Dhoni's incredible captaincy records in all three formats

These are Captain Cool's incredible captaincy records in all three formats.

There is no one like you.
You're the reason for millions of smiles.
Take a bow my Captain.🙏@msdhoni #dhoni pic.twitter.com/NLRtTlcPhq
— Sushant Singh Rajput (@itsSSR) January 4, 2017

Reel Dhoni hails real Dhoni

This is how actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who essayed on screen Dhoni in the biopic, reacted.

I sincerely hope @msdhoni will continue to be part of the team! Still much needed...
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 4, 2017

Ayaz Memon

Senior cricket commentator Ayaz Memon feels Dhoni should continue contributing as a player.

We Indian cricket fans will never get a captain like MS Dhoni again. pic.twitter.com/KlWyaZCEZb
— #CT2017 (@ICCLive_CT2017) January 4, 2017

Fans shocked with Dhoni's bouncer

This is how a fan hailed MS Dhoni's achievements.

From “giving last over to Joginder Sharma” to “stepping down as a captain”, Dhoni never failed to surprise us. #ThankYouDhoni #CaptainCool
— Shakthi (@ItsShakthi) January 4, 2017

Fans thank Captain Cool

This is how another fan hailed MS Dhoni.

No fuss. No wait. Always puts the team first. Walks away silently into the Night. India's best ever captain. #dhoni #TEAMINDIA
— Prasant Mali (@Dantes_4evr) January 4, 2017

Fans salute Dhoni for silently quitting as skipper

Fans salute Dhoni for silently quitting as skipper and not making a fuss about it.

Somebody please tell me this is just a bad dream! Please !😶#Dhoni !!!😨
He was, he is & he will..,be always my bro @Shuvamkarn2 's #Captain
— बिटू मिश्र मैथील 💯 (@MrMishra3) January 4, 2017