BCCI nudged MS Dhoni to ‘step down’: ‘Put it in writing that you’re ready to move on’; late-night e-mail confirmed exit

Perhaps Dhoni would have eventually made the call, but the first push came from the BCCI, its then-chairman of selectors, MSK Prasad, who, along with Jatin Paranjpe, spoke with Dhoni about the time being right.

“Mahi was batting. He kept batting for an hour, and MSK and I were just looking at each other. We had prepared how to tell him in the most respectful way. So we went to him and said, ‘You know, Mahi, I think it’s the right time to move on.’ So, he told MSK, ‘Anna, this is the perfect decision. Let me know what you want from me.’ MSK told him that he will have to put it in writing that you are ready to move on. He said, ‘Alright, I will do it.’ Late at night, we received an email: ‘I would like to step down’. We had to make this decision. We were criticised for it as well, but these are the tough decisions that you have to take,” Paranjpe said on The Great Cricket Indian Show.

It took some time, but Dhoni finally trusted Kohli enough to usher in the next era of Indian cricket. Dhoni’s support was crucial for Kohli. He could use all his experience from behind the stumps. Paranjpe mentioned how Dhoni did not think twice about lending his full support to Kohli to ensure that the Indian team assembled its best white-ball unit for the next few years.

“He also said Don’t worry. I will work completely with Virat. He is like my brother. I will do everything that is required of me for him. Whatever experience I have, I will give it to him. And we’ll make a good team,” the former selector added.

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