India’s middle-order batsman KL Rahul shared his thoughts after finding out that the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman and former captain MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket on Saturday (August 15).
Rahul, who made his India debut in all three formats of the game under Dhoni, said he was quite shocked and heartbroken following the sudden announcement by the legendary cricketer.
The right-hander further noted that everyone including himself would have wanted to give Dhoni a big send-off and to do something special for the most successful Indian skipper. Terming Dhoni as his role model, Rahul felt grateful to have got the honor to play under him and with him for India.
As per ESPNcricinfo, Rahul said of Dhoni: “It was quite shocking. I was honestly heartbroken. I'm sure all of us in the team or whoever has played under him and with him would have wanted to give him a big send-off and wanted him to play one more time so we could have had that opportunity to do something special for him. It is what it is.”
Hailing Dhoni, the Karnataka star added, “He has been someone who has guided us all really, really well. And who has never expected us to change who we are? He has let us go out there and express ourselves and make our mistakes and learn from them. He has just let us be. If we were ever in doubt, or if we wanted to look to somebody for answers, he was always there. He knew when to push the players.”
He further added, “Words fall short, man. Even the other day when I was trying [to write on Dhoni retiring] on Instagram or Twitter... I mean, what do you say about somebody like that? You don't have enough to say about how much he has done and how many lives he has changed and for how many people he is an inspiration - not just on the field but off the field [as well] with the things he has achieved. It is phenomenal.”
Rahul signed off by saying on asked about his role model as a captain: “It has always been MS Dhoni. I'm grateful that I've had the honor of playing under him and with him.”
