Former India skipper MS Dhoni announced his international retirement on Saturday (August 15) through an Instagram post, bringing down the curtain on a stellar career.

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With this announcement, Dhoni finally put an end to all the speculations surrounding his future. The World Cup 2019 semi-final against New Zealand at Old Trafford was his last appearance in Team India colours.

Reacting on his retirement, Dhoni’s friend and business partner Arun Pandey said he saw it coming after this year’s T20 World Cup in Australia was postponed to 2022 last month due to COVID-19 crisis.

“I was aware that he would do it soon but did not know the exact timing. Anyway it was for him to decide. He had started IPL preparations but it was postponed and then the T20 World Cup was postponed, he thought to be mentally free,” Pandey told PTI.

“And since August 15 is a special day for the Army, he must have thought on those lines. The T20 World Cup postponement was surely a factor as he planned for it,” he added.

Pandey also reckons Dhoni will be spending a lot more time with the Territorial Army now that he has retired.

Notably, Dhoni holds the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army. In fact, he had trained with the Parachute Regiment for more than a month following the 2019 World Cup.

“One thing is for sure, he will be spending more time with the Army. He will also give time to his commercial ventures and other commitments. We will sit down soon and decide the way forward.”

After retirement, the brand value of an athlete takes a dip but Pandey believes it won’t happen to Dhoni.

“Since the World Cup (in July 2019), we have signed up with 10 new brands and it is a long-term thing. It will keep on increasing as Dhoni is not just about cricket, he is a youth icon. In most cases retirement does have an impact but not when it comes to Dhoni. His achievements are not individual, his achievements are for the team and for the country,” he said.

Pandey added that Dhoni will play the IPL for another two or three seasons.

“He will play for at least couple of years, if not more. He will be more mentally free now that he is retired. The T20 World Cup postponement was definitely a factor in his retirement.”

(With PTI inputs)