Three Cricketers who blamed MS Dhoni for their retirement

MS Dhoni, without a doubt, is the most successful captain to have led the Indian Cricket team. He was responsible for India winning all of the three major ICC trophies in his reign as the captain. He first won the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007, and then went on to win the 2011 World Cup played in India. Dhoni completed his ICC trophy collection with a win in the 2013 Champions Trophy.

However, with such a spectacular leadership stint, disagreements with teammates are natural. Some of these may have resulted in their careers being ended. Here are the cricketers who blamed MS Dhoni for their retirement.

Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh. (Source: Twitter)

Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh had raised questions to the Indian captain when he was dropped out of the team, but did not get any response. He said he never got any explanation for him being dropped out. "I tried to ask the captain why, but I wasn’t given a reason. I realised there is no point in me asking for the reason for this treatment, and who is behind it because if you keep asking and no one replies, then it’s better to leave it," Bhajji said.

While the 41-year-old last played for India in 2016, he announced his retirement from all forms of the game in 2021. In the meantime, the veteran cricketer continued to play in the Indian T20 League, but retired after he was unable to make his team's playing XI.

Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Gambhir was instrumental in India's World Cup victories (2007 World T20 and 2011 ODI World Cup) under Dhoni's leadership. He was the leading scorer in both the finals. The southpaw believed that MS Dhoni overshadowed his achievements. A year after winning the World Cup, Dhoni labelled Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, and batting legend Sachin Tendulkar as slow fielders during a press conference.

Gambhir also made his final appearance for India in 2016. He did, however, continue to play for Delhi, his domestic team, as well as in the Indian T20 League. During the Ranji Trophy season in 2018, he announced his retirement.

Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)

Arguably one of the most fearless batters to have played the game, Virender Sehwag had publically blamed Dhoni for betraying the trust of his teammates. He had slammed the former India captain for publicly criticising the players without even speaking to them. "When MS Dhoni said in Australia that the top three are slow fielders, we were never asked or consulted. We got to know from the media. He said at the press conference but not at the team meeting that we are slow fielders," Sehwag told Cricbuzz.

Sehwag, who intended to retire from the team after being dropped a few years ago, announced his retirement in 2015. He had not donned the Indian jersey since 2013. The Nawab of Najafgarh has often talked publicly about being dropped from the Indian squad.