Fans urge Dhoni to reconsider decision to retire from Test cricket

Mahendra Singh DhoniRanchi/Vadodara, Jan. 1 - Fans of Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni took to streets in Ranchi and Vadodara yesterday to urge him to reconsider his decision to retire from Test cricket.

" Mahendra Singh Dhoni is not only Jharkhand's, but also India's pride. The players of the Jharkhand State Disabled Cricket Association and other people here are demanding that he change his decision. It is difficult to even think of cricket without him," said Hiten Bharadwaj a fan of Dhoni's who is based in Ranchi.

"Only a lion-hearted man can take this decision. He is a great player and he has taken it with great pride. For me, it was emotional, but he was firm. When I asked him if there is any pressure on him or any compulsion, he denied that saying he wants to concentrate in a different format," said BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel inVadodara.

Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Kirti Azad said he was disappointed with Dhoni's decision to retire, terming it unfair.

"Dhoni's contribution is immense for Indian cricket. But a captain who helped win three World Cups, suddenly gives up, is just not fair. He should have announced it before the Test series that he is retiring and giving up captaincy, or he could have also done that after the series," he said.

On Tuesday, Indian skipper Dhoni announced his retirement from Test cricket in order to concentrate on the one day international (ODI) and T20 formats.

The BCCI, in a statement, thanked Dhoni for his enormous contribution to Test cricket and the laurels that he had brought for India. (ANI)