Dhoni's retirement: Tripura 'wishes MS had not missed flight to Agartala' in 2001

Agartala: Tripura regrets having missed to witness the helicopter shots from the bat of the former Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni who announced his retirement from all forms of International cricket on Saturday.

Speaking with EastMojo, senior sports journalist Saraju Chakraborty said that Dhoni was included in the East Zone team and was asked to take his flight from Kolkata to Agartala in 2001.

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“Dhoni with his friends left from Ranchi and after driving for whole night he managed to reach Kolkata airport, but unfortunately he missed the flight to Agartala following which his wait was further extended for another two years,” Chakraborty said.

The story of the former Indian skipper, who already retired from Test cricket in December 2014, missing the flight to Agartala first surfaced only after the release of his movie ‘MS Dhoni: The Untold Story’ in 2016 which featured Sushant Singh Rajput in the lead role.

Dhoni took to his Instagram account to post a 4.06-minute video comprising all the important moments of his cricketing career read: “Thanks. Thanks a lot for your love and support throughout. From 1929 hrs considered me as Retired”.

Chakraborty said that Dhoni was replaced by Deep Das Gupta as wicket keeper and batsman in the East Zone team, however, soon he got his call for domestic cricket and later was featured in the ODI team.

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“Dhoni was always confident and never hesitated in facing difficult situations. He always ensured that he kept himself calm and cool. He could read the pulses of his boys and always backed players in their hard times,” Chakraborty, who is also the joint secretary of Tripura Sports Council, added.

Although the post did not mention the formats he is retiring from, the World Cup winning captain is expected to play in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), starting from September, in the UAE. Dhoni has already been seen in the Chennai Super Kings training and conditioning camp, alongside some of the other team members.

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Leaving behind a legendary career to look and cherish upon with 538 appearances, 172666 runs, 16 centuries, 108 half-centuries, and 829 electric dismissals behind the stumps, Dhoni bids adieu to international cricket.

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